Why Illinoisans can’t trust Pritzker’s tax promises

By Austin Berg

03/14/2019

Neither taxpayers nor lawmakers should believe Pritzker when he makes claims of tax cuts – specifically that 97 percent of Illinoisans would see one – as part of his effort to scrap Illinois’ constitutionally protected flat income tax.

TAGS: budget, deficit, fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, progressive income tax, taxes

False choice for Illinois: Pritzker’s budget ignores commonsense alternative

By Adam Schuster

03/12/2019

Facing down a $3 billion deficit, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker offered an unbalanced budget including more tax hikes, borrowing and spending. He claimed severe cuts were the only alternative, but another option exists.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, deficit, economy, fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, pensions, progressive income tax, taxes

Pritzker’s proposed tax and fee hikes total $4.5 billion

By Adam Schuster, Austin Berg

03/11/2019

The new governor has thus far refused to address the root causes of Illinois’ dismal finances.

TAGS: budget, fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, Spending, taxes

Education efficiency bill would prioritize classroom spending

By Vincent Caruso

03/11/2019

A bill in the Illinois House would empower voters to reform the funding priorities of their local school districts.

TAGS: budget, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, rita mayfield, school district consolidation, taxes

Illinois House members address urgent need to balance state budget

By Brad Weisenstein

03/02/2019

Democrats in the Illinois House are leading the push for a constitutional amendment that would require the state to balance its budget – a feat state lawmakers haven’t achieved since 2001.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, debt, Jaime Andrade Jr., Jerry Costello, Mary Edly-Allen, Monica Bristow, Terra Costa Howard

Pritzker budget slashes school choice scholarships for low-income students

By Vincent Caruso

02/21/2019

The Pritzker administration’s first budget proposes phasing out a school choice program for disadvantaged families. Low-income families loved the program. Public teachers’ unions decried it.

TAGS: budget, education, Invest in Kids, JB Pritzker, school choice

Pritzker budget doubles down on failure

By Austin Berg

02/21/2019

Getting behind bipartisan budget reform is the kind of bravery Illinoisans deserve from the executive branch. Instead, they’re getting more of the same.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, borrowing, budget, debt, JB Pritzker, pensions

Costello stands with Illinois taxpayers, against progressive income tax

By Vincent Caruso

02/19/2019

A progressive income tax structure in Illinois would mean tax hikes on the middle class. State Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Smithton, has joined the fight against a progressive tax hike in Illinois.

TAGS: budget, Jerry Costello, progressive income tax, Spending, taxes

Pritzker’s first year deficit $440 million larger than expected because he plans to spend $440 million more

By Adam Schuster

02/19/2019

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said his first year deficit is $3.2 billion, but he intends to spend hundreds of millions more than planned under previous baseline budgeting.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, deficit, GOMB, JB Pritzker, minimum wage, Spending, spending cap

1,179 bills became law last session – just 5% had a price tag

By Joe Barnas

02/19/2019

Fiscal notes serve as price tags on bills in the General Assembly. Lawmakers’ habit of omitting them limits their ability to make well-informed decisions.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, COGFA: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, Dale Righter, Fiscal Notes, Illinois General Assembly, progressive income tax, taxes