Lawmakers should address wasteful spending in higher education, which is hurting students, their families, instructors and taxpayers.

The New York-based credit agency cited the lack of action on a budget as the primary reason for the downgrade.

Illinois state senators are considering a budget with massive tax hikes, but is short on critical pension reforms, which would save taxpayers billions.

Attempts to cut off state worker pay need not end in a tax hike.

Illinois spends more money on retirement costs than on university operations – and tuition keeps rising to prop up this overspending. Instead of hiking taxes to maintain current spending habits in higher education, politicians should shift priorities from propping up six-figure administrators to keeping tuition affordable for students.

Consolidating Illinois’ 859 school districts will lead to greater efficiency and help stem rising property taxes.

Instead of proposing more tax hikes, the Illinois Senate should provide some much needed relief to residents and pass a taxpayer bill of rights.

The status quo isn’t working for Illinois; the state needs serious reforms to get its spending under control, pay down its debt, and rein in the taxes that are driving its people across state lines.

In addition to raising the state’s personal and corporate income taxes back near their all-time highs, senators are proposing taxing businesses on the “privilege” of doing business in Illinois, as well as taxing several services.