Pritzker calls for $700M in service cuts, silent on pension reform

By Brad Weisenstein

12/17/2020

Illinois’ current budget started out at a deficit, hoped for a tax increase that was rejected and counted on a federal bail-out that never came. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s best fix is pension reform.

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, deficit, JB Pritzker, pensions

Gas tax, property tax, ticket and fee hikes all part of Lightfoot budget

By Ben Szalinski

12/04/2020

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is trying to raise revenue to close large revenue gaps partially brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, gas tax, Lori Lightfoot, property tax, property taxes

Lightfoot budget includes automatic property tax hikes, gas tax hike

By Adam Schuster

10/22/2020

A typical Chicago homeowner faces up to $255 in potential property tax increases to cover city and school deficits. City income taxes could be next, if the ‘fair tax’ were to pass.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, property taxes

Joliet considering citywide salary cuts to ease budget strains

By Ben Szalinski

06/25/2020

The city has suffered significant revenue losses as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. Pensions will further damage city services even as the pandemic fades.

TAGS: budget, Joliet, pensions

Pritzker signs budget out of balance by $6B

By Adam Schuster, Ben Szalinski

06/11/2020

Lawmakers made no serious attempt to balance the new budget, instead counting on a federal bailout.

TAGS: budget, coronavirus, COVID-19, deficit, JB Pritzker

5 reasons why Illinois’ latest spending plan insults taxpayers

By Adam Schuster

05/29/2020

Lawmakers made no serious attempt to balance the new budget, instead counting on a federal bailout. They accepted an $1,800 raise for themselves, while only making significant cuts to education.

TAGS: budget, government spending, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, special session

Illinois lawmakers returning to deal with $7B budget hole, COVID-19 fallout

05/19/2020

What to watch for as the Illinois General Assembly convenes for the first time in more than two months.

TAGS: budget, coronavirus, COVID-19, progressive income tax, special session

Pritzker wrongly claims an Illinois budget surplus ‘if not for coronavirus’

By Adam Schuster, Ben Szalinski

04/30/2020

The budget was not balanced, and Illinois has not balanced a budget for nearly two decades. Pretending Illinois had no issues before COVID-19 won’t help it recover.

TAGS: budget, coronavirus, COVID-19, deficit, Donald Trump, JB Pritzker

Why Congress should reject Illinois’ $44 billion bailout request

By Adam Schuster

04/23/2020

Two decades of fiscal mismanagement have left state finances ill-prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress should condition any additional aid for troubled states on taxpayer protections that ensure pensions are solvent, accounting is realistic and budgets are balanced.

TAGS: bailout, budget, coronavirus, COVID-19, debt, Don Harmon, JB Pritzker, pensions, U.S. Congress

Bill proposes to tie Illinois state spending to what taxpayers can afford

By Ben Szalinski

03/06/2020

Lawmakers routinely spend faster than taxpayers’ incomes grow. A new bill would put Illinois with the majority of states that limit taxes or spending.

TAGS: borrowing, budget, constitutional amendment, deficit, government spending, pensions, spending cap, tax increase