budget

Multibillion-dollar tax hikes will only exacerbate Illinois’ weak economic activity

By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner

04/13/2017

The latest report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shows Illinois experienced falling tax collections, indicating trouble in the state economy. Spending reforms – not tax hikes – are what Illinois needs to right its fiscal ship and boost economic growth.

TAGS: budget, COGFA: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, Dan McConchie, Kyle McCarter, Moody's Investor Service

Illinois lawmakers head out for 2-week spring break without passing a budget

By Brendan Bakala

04/12/2017

Though Illinois lawmakers leave without addressing the current fiscal impasse, it’s been 16 years since the General Assembly last balanced the budget.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

The latest budget proposal for Illinois: A no-tax-hike plan

By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner

04/08/2017

The Taxpayer Bargain finally shifts the budget conversation in favor of taxpayers over politicians, with a plan that balances the state budget without tax hikes.

TAGS: budget, Christine Radogno, Dan McConchie, grand bargain, Illinois Senate, John Cullerton, Kyle McCarter

Illinois workers’ compensation rules cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion a year

By Brendan Bakala

04/07/2017

State and local costs for workers’ compensation are out of line with what other states pay.

TAGS: budget, workers compensation

Illinois revenue free fall: Fiscal year-to-date -8.1 percent and worsening

04/06/2017

Illinois’ revenues are falling each month of this fiscal year, and it will be difficult to change course.

TAGS: budget, COGFA: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability

Illinois Department of Corrections paid 55 nurses over $100K per year

04/04/2017

Despite a fight from the union, the Illinois Department of Corrections is replacing 124 unionized nurses with private subcontractors, which could save taxpayers millions each year.

TAGS: budget, IDOC: Illinois Department of Corrections, INA: Illinois Nurses Association

Why are Illinois Democrats preparing to bail out bankers and cash-strapped local governments?

By Michael Lucci

04/03/2017

Bailout bills moving in the Illinois General Assembly would attempt to turn Illinois’ massive debt problems into guaranteed profits for banks and bondholders and a lower standard of living for other Illinoisans.

TAGS: bonds, budget, CTA: Chicago Transit Authority, general obligation bonds, grand bargain, John Cullerton, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, property taxes, RTA: Regional Transportation Authority

Luxembourg’s ambassador sends letter to Illinois House leaders

By Brendan Bakala

03/31/2017

Luxembourg’s ambassador to the United States has voiced objections to an Illinois House bill that would label Luxembourg a tax haven and subject corporations expatriated there to restrictions on investments and business dealings with the state of Illinois.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Christian Mitchell, grand bargain, Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois Investment Policy Board, Jim Durkin, John D’Amico, Katie Stuart, Lawrence Walsh Jr., Martin Moylan, Mike Madigan, Sam Yingling, Silvana Tabares, Stephanie Kifowit, Sue Scherer

Moody’s warning of an “inflection point” in Illinois signals need for spending reforms

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/31/2017

Illinois lawmakers should heed Moody’s Investors Service’s warnings about the state’s precarious economic health and dire fiscal situation and enact major structural spending reforms to balance the budget.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, grand bargain, Moody's Investor Service, outmigration

Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget

By Amy Korte

03/28/2017

Illinois House Bill 3868 would give Gov. Bruce Rauner the authority to trim costs and reorder the state’s spending priorities to balance the budget.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, Bruce Rauner, budget, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, debt, Fitch Ratings, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Constitution, Jim Durkin, Mike Madigan, spending, unpaid bills

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

Occupational licensing requirements present one of the steepest barriers to low-income Illinoisans starting careers in beauty services. Illinois requires anyone seeking to become a barber, cosmetologist, nail technician or hair braider to obtain a state license, essentially a permission slip to work. Unlike 45 other states, Illinois offers only one pathway to licensure for each...

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budget

Multibillion-dollar tax hikes will only exacerbate Illinois’ weak economic activity

Illinois lawmakers head out for 2-week spring break without passing a budget

The latest budget proposal for Illinois: A no-tax-hike plan

Illinois workers’ compensation rules cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion a year

Illinois revenue free fall: Fiscal year-to-date -8.1 percent and worsening

Illinois Department of Corrections paid 55 nurses over $100K per year

Why are Illinois Democrats preparing to bail out bankers and cash-strapped local governments?

Luxembourg’s ambassador sends letter to Illinois House leaders

Moody’s warning of an “inflection point” in Illinois signals need for spending reforms

Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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