FBI asking about Madigan money, political clout in corruption investigation

By Austin Berg

12/06/2019

There is little doubt the FBI is targeting the longtime House speaker and Democratic political boss in their sweeping investigation of Illinois corruption.

TAGS: blank check, ComEd, Commonwealth Edison, conflict of interests, corruption, Democratic Party, ethics, fair maps, fair tax, FBI, federal investigation, gerrymandering, house rules, Illinois, Illinois General Assembly, independent maps, lawmakers, Mike Madigan, revolving door, rules committee, Springfield, watchdog

Income tax hike dropped Illinois’ economic freedom rank, ‘fair tax’ would drop it more

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

11/15/2019

The largest permanent income tax hike in Illinois history was followed by a slide to 34th least-free state in the union, behind nearly every neighboring state.

TAGS: economic freedom, fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, pension guarantee, pension spiking, pensions, progressive income tax, taxes

With Illinois on deck, state tax hikes just lost big at the ballot box

By Austin Berg

11/07/2019

If other states’ recent tax votes are any indication, Pritzker’s proposal could be a tougher sell than he thinks.

TAGS: Colorado, fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, Kentucky, Matt Bevin, progressive income tax, taxes, Texas

Pritzker’s flawed ‘fair tax’ plan already failed Californians

By Orphe Divounguy

11/05/2019

Illinoisans should learn from the Golden State’s “fair tax” failure, lessons that state leaders ignore.

TAGS: fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes

Governor’s office uses Illinois economic report to push ‘fair tax’ falsehoods

By Vincent Caruso

11/04/2019

An annual financial report from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office forecasts a gloomy fiscal future for Illinois and pushes his false choice between dire spending cuts or a flawed progressive tax plan.

TAGS: fair tax, GOMB, graduated income tax, income tax, progressive income tax, taxes

5 broken tax promises show why Illinois voters distrust Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

By Adam Schuster

11/03/2019

From the lottery, to the tollway, to two “temporary” income tax hikes, Illinois politicians have a history of broken promises about how they tax and spend residents’ money.

TAGS: fair tax, JB Pritzker, lottery, progressive income tax, tollway

California’s ‘fair tax’ hike spurred taxpayer exodus, hurt middle class and went mostly to pensions

By Orphe Divounguy

10/28/2019

New academic research on a progressive income tax hike in California should be a warning to Illinois voters deciding on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax hike in November 2020.

TAGS: California, fair tax, graduated income tax, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes

Kentucky billboards advertise Illinois’ woes to lure businesses

By Brad Weisenstein

10/25/2019

Kentucky’s economic developers are using billboards along Interstate 57 to bring businesses south by highlighting Illinois’ poor finances, high taxes and unwelcoming business climate.

TAGS: fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, Kentucky, outmigration, progressive income tax, property taxes, small business, taxes

Poll: Pritzker drops to among least popular governors in the nation

By Vincent Caruso

10/25/2019

Less than one year into Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s first term, a new poll shows the governor’s popularity ranks eight spots from the bottom.

TAGS: fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes

More than 1 in 3 joint filers in Wilmette would see income tax hike if voters approve Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

By Bryce Hill, Chena Underhill

10/22/2019

Voters statewide will decide whether 2,800 Wilmette taxpayers should send $75 million in additional income taxes to Springfield.

TAGS: fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes, wilmette

Power in payments: Illinois can help unbanked residents, save money by adopting best practices in payment methods

Each year, tens of billions of dollars flow through Illinois state government.1 These flows all depend on methods of payment. In deciding on those payment methods, policymakers must consider a number of important factors, including security controls, cost effectiveness, accessibility, speed and allowance for choice. This report shows that by adopting best practices across all...

View Report

Power in payments: Illinois can help unbanked residents, save money by adopting best practices in payment methods

Report Archive

Ifeoma Nkemdi

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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