Gov. Pritzker hints no tax hikes or pension benefit spikes in 2026 state budget

By Dylan Sharkey, Patrick Andriesen

02/17/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said raising taxes or hiking pension benefits are not first choices for in his fiscal year 2026 budget. The governor said Illinois needs to “live within our means in this state.”

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, taxes

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stares down a $1 billion city budget deficit

By Bryce Hill

08/30/2024

Updated budget forecasts show a $982 million shortfall for the upcoming 2025 budget as Chicago grapples with $223 million remaining deficit this year. Mayor Brandon Johnson refuses to rule out property tax hikes.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, property taxes

$35B in federal aid, higher tax revenues mask Pritzker budgetary blunders

By Bryce Hill, Ravi Mishra

07/03/2024

While Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been in office during upgrades in the state’s credit rating and reductions in some state debts, analysis shows improvements were more luck than fiscal design.

TAGS: budget

Illinois General Assembly OKs $1.1B in tax hikes for record $53.1B spending

By Bryce Hill

05/29/2024

Illinois state lawmakers’ spending plans came in $410 million higher than what Gov. J.B. Pritzker originally proposed. Taxpayers will be forced to pay $1.1 billion more so Illinois can spend record amounts in fiscal year 2025.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, taxes

Pritzker budget: $93M income tax hike for record spending

By Dylan Sharkey

04/01/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to take nearly $100 million more from Illinoisans through state income taxes, averaging $45 per family.

TAGS: budget, income tax, JB Pritzker

Our perspective: Illinois’ state budget is nearly $13B higher today than it was 6 years ago

By Hilary Gowins

02/21/2024

Pritzker proposes to permanently repeal the 1% state grocery tax. That’s good. The ballooning size of the state budget, not so good.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, taxes

Illinois boosts scholarships for private colleges, but not for low-income kids

By Dylan Sharkey

05/30/2023

The Illinois General Assembly approved $100 million in grants so students can choose a private or public university. But when it comes to giving that private or public choice to low-income students, there soon may be no choice at all.

TAGS: budget, education, school choice

Pensions put Illinois’ 2024 budget in red by over $4B

By Bryce Hill

05/27/2023

Illinois state lawmakers shorted pensions by $4.1 billion and killed scholarships for low-income students, but gave themselves pay raises and a new office building. Their budget leaves no room for error as revenue projections drop.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, pensions

How Chicago’s pension crisis drives high taxes, fiscal turmoil

By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson

02/10/2023

Before deciding who best can lead Chicago through its financial problems, it helps to understand what those problems are. Here’s a primer.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, pensions

Lightfoot cancels property tax hike in announcing new budget

By Dylan Sharkey

10/03/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot unveiled her 2023 budget proposal and deleted a $42.7 million property tax hike originally tied to inflation.

TAGS: budget, Lori Lightfoot

budget

Gov. Pritzker hints no tax hikes or pension benefit spikes in 2026 state budget

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stares down a $1 billion city budget deficit

$35B in federal aid, higher tax revenues mask Pritzker budgetary blunders

Illinois General Assembly OKs $1.1B in tax hikes for record $53.1B spending

Pritzker budget: $93M income tax hike for record spending

Our perspective: Illinois’ state budget is nearly $13B higher today than it was 6 years ago

Illinois boosts scholarships for private colleges, but not for low-income kids

Pensions put Illinois’ 2024 budget in red by over $4B

How Chicago’s pension crisis drives high taxes, fiscal turmoil

Lightfoot cancels property tax hike in announcing new budget

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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