Speaker Welch says Illinois’ financial disclosure forms are ‘worthless’
Speaker Welch says Illinois’ financial disclosure forms are ‘worthless’
The new speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives referred to state lawmakers’ statements of economic interest forms as confusing and a ‘worthless piece of document.’ They can be fixed.
By Joe Tabor
Hidden pension ‘tax’ costs each Illinoisan more than $1,400 per year
Hidden pension ‘tax’ costs each Illinoisan more than $1,400 per year
Illinoisans pay a hidden pension tax. Eliminating that cost would free up resources to help Illinois recover from the COVID-19 recession while also raising the state’s long-term economic potential.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Flat education spending is a cut when pensions, administration take more
Flat education spending is a cut when pensions, administration take more
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans another year of flat education spending. The reality is the cash reaching classrooms is dwindling as pensions and administration eat more.
By Ann Miller
Chicago’s higher property taxes hit March 2
Chicago’s higher property taxes hit March 2
Cook County’s first property tax payments are due March 2. In Chicago, property taxes have grown more than 3 times faster than inflation for 20 years.
By Brad Weisenstein
Chicago’s speed cameras start churning out $35 tickets March 1
Chicago’s speed cameras start churning out $35 tickets March 1
Chicago’s mayor said speed cameras will enforce a lowered tolerance March 1 as a way to curb traffic fatalities. Critics see the $35 tickets as a money grab when residents are still reeling from the COVID-19 economic downturn.
By Patrick Andriesen
Madigan again picks his successor after first one lasted 2 days
Madigan again picks his successor after first one lasted 2 days
Mike Madigan again controlled the choice of his replacement as state representative after his first pick resigned over ‘questionable conduct.’ This pick is a community activist who manages COVID-19 contact tracing.
By Brad Weisenstein
Sheldrick Holmes: Grail Café
Sheldrick Holmes: Grail Café
“You know how infuriating it was to have an issue as large as this pandemic and have no one see you? You feel invisible.”
Laura Schillmoeller
Laura Schillmoeller
"I just don’t want to pay for these public schools anymore because I feel like they have completely let everybody down. I'm done."
Jerry R. McDonald
Jerry R. McDonald
“People are voting with their feet, leaving Illinois every day and high property taxes are a big part of it."
Illinois House speaker unwilling to take voters’ ‘no’ on ‘fair tax’ for an answer
Illinois House speaker unwilling to take voters’ ‘no’ on ‘fair tax’ for an answer
Just more than three months after voters soundly rejected a progressive state income tax, new Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch is trying to revive the idea as a fix for state pensions. There is a better solution than the failed ‘fair tax’ scheme.
By Adam Schuster
Illinois unemployment is again on the rise as Pritzker proposes business taxes
Illinois unemployment is again on the rise as Pritzker proposes business taxes
Unemployment claims bumped up for a second week in Illinois as Gov. J.B. Pritzker decided to push for 9 new taxes, mostly hitting businesses and job creation. Illinois ranked 49th for recovery last week.
By Brad Weisenstein
Illinois faced nursing shortage before COVID-19 stressed health care
Illinois faced nursing shortage before COVID-19 stressed health care
An impending health care worker shortage argues for a bill that would allow Illinois to join a multi-state nursing license compact. Nurses could see improved job options.
By Laura Bianchi