How easy is it to vote in Illinois? Very.

By Mindy Ruckman

10/22/2020

In Illinois, you can show up at the polls, register and vote all at the same time.

TAGS: ballot referendums, early voting, Election Day

Retirement tax could be next if ‘fair tax’ passes, Moody’s says

By Adam Schuster

10/22/2020

The credit rating agency also said Illinois will soon pass the point of no return on public pension debt. It warned against schemes to stretch or delay pension payments.

TAGS: credit rating, fair tax, pensions, retirement tax

Lightfoot budget includes automatic property tax hikes, gas tax hike

By Adam Schuster

10/22/2020

A typical Chicago homeowner faces up to $255 in potential property tax increases to cover city and school deficits. City income taxes could be next, if the ‘fair tax’ were to pass.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, property taxes

Illinois sees worst month of job loss in U.S. ahead of ‘fair tax’ vote

By Bryce Hill

10/22/2020

Illinois lost 12,000 jobs in September and is home to the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” proposal would worsen the state’s jobs climate even more.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, jobs, unemployment

Pritzker issues 9th emergency declaration to extend COVID-19 powers

By Joe Tabor

10/21/2020

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued a ninth disaster proclamation, extending his emergency powers for another 30 days over all of Illinois.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, executive order, JB Pritzker

Three members of ‘Team Pritzker’ have backed retirement tax

By Ben Szalinski

10/20/2020

Multiple members of the governor’s inner circle have publicly backed retirement taxes, even though Pritzker now denies he will use his “fair tax” on the state’s seniors.

TAGS: fair tax, JB Pritzker, retirement tax

Sangamon County judge rules local governments can be open on Election Day

By Joe Tabor

10/19/2020

A section of a vote-by-mail bill passed earlier this year established Election Day 2020 as a state holiday. A judge ruled it did not apply to local governments.

TAGS: Election Day, public sector, Sangamon County

Star of misleading ‘fair tax’ ad set to draw $1.1M in pension payments for 1 year of state work

By Brad Weisenstein

10/19/2020

‘Fair tax’ backers funded by Gov. J.B. Pritzker created the illusion of bipartisanship by using a former public employee union staffer who collects a generous taxpayer-funded pension due to a loophole in state law.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, pensions, progressive tax, Vote Yes for Fairness

Illinois sees nation’s largest spike in new initial unemployment claims

By Bryce Hill

10/16/2020

Initial unemployment claims in Illinois increased by more than 9,800 last week, the worst spike in the country.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDOL: Illinois Department of Labor, unemployment

Illinois taxpayers charged $1.8M for misleading ‘fair tax’ amendment pamphlet

By Brad Weisenstein

10/16/2020

The blue pamphlets sent to Illinois voters were mandated by law, but the constitutional amendment explanation inside included misleading language in its favor.

TAGS: ballot referendums, election, fair tax, JB Pritzker

Policy Research

Progressive tax could cost nearly $1,800 a year in home equity

Chuck Hvala

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students