Alton Township survives consolidation referendum

By Brad Weisenstein

11/07/2018

Alton Township was on the chopping block Nov. 6. While neighboring communities consolidated unnecessary layers of government, Alton residents will keep their township.

TAGS: Alton, consolidation, local government consolidation, taxes, township

Nearly 80 percent of Alton property tax levy consumed by pensions

By Vincent Caruso

11/05/2018

The share of Alton’s annual property tax levy going to pension payments has more than doubled over the past decade.

TAGS: Alton, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes

Alton voters will choose whether to eliminate township in November

By Vincent Caruso

07/12/2018

Alton residents are paying for two overlapping units of government – the city of Alton and Alton Township. But voters will soon have the chance to slash costs by dissolving the city’s redundant township.

TAGS: Alton, budget, consolidation, pensions, taxes, townships

As Alton shrinks, school district administrator salaries grow

By Vincent Caruso

05/30/2018

More than half of local school district administrators earn more than $100,000, and those incomes will get a boost after a recent board decision.

TAGS: Alton, consolidation, Madison County, Metro East, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, salaries, school district consolidation, taxes

Elimination of Alton Township could be placed in voters’ hands

By Vincent Caruso

05/24/2018

Taxpayers in the city of Alton, which has identical borders to that of Alton Township, could see savings through consolidation.

TAGS: Alton, budget, consolidation, local government consolidation, Metro East, taxes

Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes

By Austin Berg

05/21/2018

Residents of St. Clair and Madison Counties will soon see some of the nation’s most punishing property tax bills.

TAGS: Alton, Belleville, Madison County, Metro East, property taxes, St. Clair County

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

Gov. J.B. Pritzker inherited a $2.8 billion budget deficit the moment he stepped into office. Next year, that deficit is projected to be $3.4 billion1. It’s the same story every budget season. But Illinois’ budget crises could be a thing of the past if the state would adopt pension reform, right-size its union contracts and...

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Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

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Tracy Ross

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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