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: Governor's Office of Management and Budget, 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

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

Moody’s: Janus win potentially credit positive for Illinois

By Adam Schuster

06/27/2018

A landmark case on worker freedom could have positive effects on Illinois’ fiscal health, according to a leading ratings agency.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, credit rating, Janus v. AFSCME, Moody's Investor Service, pensions

Springfield’s progressive tax supporters would bring tax hikes to their districts under leading proposal

By Bryce Hill

06/27/2018

Scrapping Illinois’ flat income tax protection would open the door for massive tax hikes on the state’s middle class.

TAGS: budget, FRIENDLY Act, progressive income tax, taxes

Illinois’ rainy day fund would cover only 81 seconds of state spending

06/25/2018

The Land of Lincoln's meager rainy day fund would leave the state exposed in the event of another recession.

TAGS: budget, spending, spending cap

New Illinois budget includes $224 million for Obama Presidential Center

By Eddie Damstra

06/19/2018

The state’s fiscal year 2019 budget is out of balance by as much as $1.5 billion.

TAGS: Barack Obama, budget, Chicago, Obama presidential library, property taxes

budget

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

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

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

Alton voters will choose whether to eliminate township in November

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

Failure: On the anniversary of Illinois’ 2017 tax hike

Moody’s: Janus win potentially credit positive for Illinois

Springfield’s progressive tax supporters would bring tax hikes to their districts under leading proposal

Illinois’ rainy day fund would cover only 81 seconds of state spending

New Illinois budget includes $224 million for Obama Presidential Center

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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