Budget Solutions 2018: Balancing the state budget without tax hikes
A set of structural reforms that protect taxpayers and put Illinois on the path to prosperity.
Illinois has lost 195,000 millennial college students since 2000
Illinois lost more millennial college students than any other state except New Jersey between 2000 and 2014, and Illinois’ loss of young people appears to be accelerating.
Fact-checking BGA’s claims on ‘low-spending’ Illinois
While the Better Government Association has claimed Illinois’ budget contains no fat to trim, a deeper analysis reveals the state has many areas of expensive inefficiency to reform in state and local government costs, the Medicaid program and K-12 education.
DAILY LINKS / 5.23.2017
Chicago Tribune: Senate Democrats poised to vote on major tax hikes Tuesday Chicago Tribune: Chicago school board to consider up to $500 million more long-term borrowing Chicago Sun-Times: Red-light cameras reap suburbs millions Chicago Tribune: Tollway committee advances $25 million study of Illinois 53 extension Crain's Chicago Business: Public finance campaign bill picks up momentum Chicago Tribune: Preckwinkle: Soda tax will stand despite repeal campaign Chicago Tribune: Trial begins for West Side nonprofit head accused of using grant money for spending spree DNA Info: Controversial Jeff Park Storage Facility OK'd By Key City Council Panel Rockford Register-Star: Rockford City Council debates more breaks for Mercyhealth hospital Quincy Herald-Whig: School district's bond rating downgraded State Journal-Register: Developer Chris Stone pushing for casino in downtown Springfield Belleville News-Democrat: Save $12K in taxes by ‘investing’ as little as $500Illinois Senate Democrats pass $5.4B tax increase
Each Illinois household would have to pay an additional $1,125 more in taxes each year, on average, under the Senate's tax-hike plan.
State Rep. Ives’ Senate tax hike roadblock
7 Illinois properties rank among nation’s top 100 property tax bills
Though most of the top 100 property tax bills came from New York, the state with the second most entries was Illinois. The 13th highest bill in the country belonged to Exelon’s nuclear generating station in Byron, Illinois, totaling $36.5 million in 2016.
Akuna Capital received $4.5M tax credit for 10 jobs
In 2015, Chicago-headquartered Akuna Capital LLC received $4.5 million in EDGE tax credits for hiring 10 new employees over a two-year period. The new hires specialized in trading and software.
Illinois tax hikes
Illinois owes $3.5M in past-due utility bills
The state government owes the City Water, Light and Power of Springfield $3.5 million on past-due utility bills for state offices. The past-due utility bills are just one part of Illinois’ more than $14.3 billion bill backlog.
Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate
Only 51 percent of black adults reported having some form of work in Illinois.
Illinois State Senator Andy Manar jumps the shark
Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate
New Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Illinois’ black residents have an unemployment rate of 12.7 percent, more than double the state’s overall rate.
SB 1905 designed to ban local Right to Work in Illinois
The Illinois House Labor and Commerce Committee has passed a bill to prohibit municipalities in Illinois from enacting local Right-to-Work measures. The bill now heads to the full House of Representatives for a hearing.