Illinois’ comeback story starts here.
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This weekend marks the three-year anniversary of the 2011 Illinois income tax increase. But the anniversary also marks another milestone for taxpayers: We are just one year away from tax relief. Illinois taxpayers currently fork over 5 percent of their paycheck to the state. Politicians like to say that 5 percent isn’t much. Many people...
This post originally appeared at pantagraph.com. Part of America’s government framework is the ability to watch and follow lawmakers do their jobs. The media — and by extension, the public — is part and parcel of that, tasked with a responsibility to make sure government and its workers remain open and transparent in conducting the...
By Dennis Rodkin With all the snow this week and the brutal cold forecast for Chicago next week, it’s no wonder so many of us are dreaming of Hawaii right about now. But if you own your home, those daydreams may not only be weather-related: in Hawaii, homeowners are taxed at about one-eighth the rate...
by Patrick Wade The city is failing when it comes to providing information on its website, a conservative research institute says. The Illinois Policy Institute this week released its annual “online transparency audit,” which evaluates towns and cities’ websites and grades them based on how well they provide public information like officials’ contact information, budgets,...
City improves online transparency grade from a D to an A Transparency in government is one of the most effective and easiest ways to prevent corruption and enable active citizen participation in government. A recent analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute found that the city of Peoria has improved its online transparency score three grade...
With the constant advancements of the digital age, keeping citizens informed about their local and state government’s actions has never been easier. However, recent analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute found that Champaign, along with 11 other city governments failed an online audit for government transparency. This analysis takes a close look at how much...
With the constant advancements of the digital age, keeping citizens informed about their local and state government’s actions has never been easier. However, recent analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute found that Decatur, along with 11 other city governments failed an online audit for government transparency. This analysis takes a close look at how much...
With the constant advancements of the digital age, keeping citizens informed about their local and state government’s actions has never been easier. However, recent analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute found that Rockford, along with 11 other city governments failed an online audit for government transparency. This analysis takes a close look at how much...