What goes up must come down: Why Illinois is ill-prepared for the next recession

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

09/13/2018

Poor public policy and inefficient government mean Illinois will struggle to provide relief for residents in need during the next downturn.

TAGS: budget, Great Recession, taxes

State of Illinois confirms new budget is out of balance by $1.2B

By Adam Schuster

08/21/2018

Despite claims from some state lawmakers that the fiscal year 2019 budget is balanced, official reports to bond buyers admit a deficit of more than $1 billion.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, credit rating, GOMB, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan, spending cap

Janus decision means some Illinois state workers effectively see 2017 tax hike reversed

By Adam Schuster

07/19/2018

The 2017 permanent income tax hike took $732 from the median Illinois household, roughly the same as the $737 that will be returned to state workers who were previously forced to pay “fair share” fees to government unions.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, agency fees, budget, fair share, income tax, Janus v. AFSCME, 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

New Bloomington city manager to outearn 49 U.S. governors

By Joe Kaiser

07/03/2018

Decatur City’s city manager is on his way to take the same post in Bloomington, and with it a raise that will push his income above 49 of the nation’s 50 governors.

TAGS: Bloomington, budget, decatur, taxes

Failure: On the anniversary of Illinois’ 2017 tax hike

By Adam Schuster

07/03/2018

One year after a record-setting tax hike the state still can’t balance a budget, has done nothing to solve long-term fiscal problems and has further damaged its economic growth.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, income tax, jobs, Mike Madigan, spending cap, taxes