Joe Ocol is taking his South Side chess team to one of the nation’s premier tournaments. But he needs help paying their way.

Illinois needs to enact structural spending reforms to avoid following Puerto Rico down the path to insolvency.

Another Band-Aid budget deal won’t fix the financial problems that plague Illinois or stop the state’s credit rating from falling to junk.

Despite the massive size and scope of the project to widen the Tri-State, the Illinois Tollway board suggests new tolls and taxes won’t be needed ­– but history shows that promises related to tolls in Illinois haven’t held up in the past.

House Bill 2977 would require both public elementary schools and high schools to include cursive instruction in their curriculums, and the plan doesn’t include how much this unfunded state mandate would cost taxpayers.

Government worker retirement costs and interest on state retirement debt are squeezing out funding for social service providers and taxpayer relief.

Despite Illinois’ severe financial problems, less than 3 percent of bills passed by the 99th General Assembly and enacted into law have fiscal notes.

Illinois hasn’t had a budget in two years. And it’s been more than 15 years since the state had a balanced budget. But lawmakers – who are currently on a two-week spring break – continue to be paid.

About two-thirds of state revenue comes from income and sales taxes.