Illinois’ financial condition worsens despite receiving billions in federal aid

By Justin Carlson

10/01/2021

A new report from watchdog Truth in Accounting shows each taxpayer’s share of state debt has nearly doubled since 2009 to $57,000 as total debt increased by $10 billion—mostly due to pension obligations.

TAGS: budget, debt, Illinois, Truth in Accounting

Chicago average property taxes up $72 to $180, driven by pension debt

By Dylan Sharkey

09/21/2021

Chicago homeowners are likely to see average property tax bills rise between $72 and $180 based on the city’s new budget. Higher taxes are driven by $47 billion in pension debt, but pension reform can change that.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, property taxes

Citizenship 101: How to be a more involved Illinoisan

By Brad Weisenstein

08/01/2021

What you need to know to better get answers about what local and state government leaders are doing in Illinois.

TAGS: budget, corruption, FOIA: Freedom of Information Act, government services, government spending, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, income tax, Open Meetings Act, property taxes, taxes

Fact check: Pritzker claims balanced budgets; state reports show he’s wrong

By Adam Schuster, Luke Schafer

07/30/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he achieved a balanced budget each year he has been in office. Not true, according to official state comptroller financial reports. Illinois budgets have been in the red for 21 years in a row.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, pensions

Illinois’ state budget practices earn poor marks from fiscal watchdog

By Justin Carlson

07/15/2021

A Volcker Alliance report on truth and integrity in state budgeting finds Illinois lacking. Debt, budget gimmicks and thin reserve funds gave the state poor marks.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker

Foggy crystal ball leads to 21 years of Illinois budget deficits

By Luke Schafer

07/15/2021

The first step of passing a budget is to determine how much is available to spend. Illinois routinely misses the mark in estimating future revenues. There is a solution.

TAGS: budget, deficit, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker

Last-minute Illinois budget riddled with errors

By Patrick Andriesen

06/17/2021

Because Illinois state lawmakers waited until the last minute to pass a budget, no one noticed multiple errors that could have halted about half of the state’s spending until a month before the fiscal year ended. Haste makes waste of taxpayer dollars.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker

Illinois lawmakers give themselves $1,200 raise, double office budgets

By Adam Schuster

06/04/2021

The fiscal year 2022 budget includes pay hikes for members of the Illinois General Assembly, who were already among the nation’s highest-paid state lawmakers. It also boosts office allowances and leader stipends.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

Tax hikes fail to balance Illinois budget, but lawmakers raise own pay

By Adam Schuster

06/03/2021

Leaders claimed the budget was balanced and included no tax hikes, but neither is true. Illinois state lawmakers for the 21st time passed a deficit budget – one that includes $655 million in new taxes and a nearly $1,200 raise for themselves.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, taxes

Budget, ethics bills again kept secret before last-minute votes, Madigan style

By Justin Carlson

05/27/2021

Illinois politicians used Madigan’s teachings – avoid messy democracy and disenfranchise taxpayers – by again waiting until the last minute to pass major legislation. Good things rarely grow in the dark.

TAGS: budget, Illinois, Springfield