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Illinois pension costs impair spending on roads, public services

By Patrick Andriesen
11/23/2022
Illinois taxpayers spent $3.3 billion more on public pensions between 2017 and 2022 than state forecasts said they would. Had that money not evaporated, it could have paid to repave 150,000 miles of roads or for nearly 25,000 full-ride scholarships.

TAGS: government spending, pensions

Fact check: Pritzker claims fiscal responsibility but report shows ‘fiscal cliff’

By Justin Carlson
07/13/2022
A new report shows Illinois is likely to face financial challenges when the federal stimulus money propping up its current budget runs out. That reality is very different than the Pritzker campaign claims about fiscal responsibility.

TAGS: deficit, government spending, JB Pritzker

Illinois spent 6% more than it took in for 15 years, so COVID-19 hit it harder

By Justin Carlson
01/12/2022
From 2005-2019, Illinois revenues totaled just 94% of expenses. The state ran deficits in each of the 15 years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only New Jersey overspent more.

TAGS: COVID-19, debt, deficit, government spending

Illinois drivers pay $1,119 extra a year thanks to bad roads, bridges

By Patrick Andriesen
11/24/2021
Illinois ranked 14th worst in the nation for road infrastructure with 20% of state roadways non-acceptable and 12% of bridges in poor condition by federal standards. It was near last in spending on repairs.

TAGS: government spending, Illinois, roads

Madison County ending taxpayer support of history museum

By Brad Weisenstein
09/27/2021
During the past decade, one of the few taxpayer-supported local history museums in Illinois collected over $2 million. That is ending, but not before another $300,000 in taxes is handed to the museum.

TAGS: government spending, Madison County Historical Society, museum

Citizenship 101: How to be a more involved Illinoisan

By Brad Weisenstein
08/01/2021
What you need to know to better get answers about what local and state government leaders are doing in Illinois.

TAGS: budget, corruption, FOIA: Freedom of Information Act, government services, government spending, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, income tax, Open Meetings Act, property taxes, taxes

Chicago almost hits bottom rank of 150 cities for high cost, poor services

By Luke Schafer
07/30/2021
Out of 150 cities, Chicago came in almost at the bottom when the quality of city services and the total budget per capita were ranked, confirming what most Chicagoans already knew.

TAGS: Chicago, government spending, taxes

Chicago considers $500 monthly guaranteed income for 5,000 low-income residents

04/22/2021
Under a new proposal, the city of Chicago would issue debit cards to 5,000 low-income residents that provide $500 each month for a year using some of its COVID-19 relief money.

TAGS: Chicago, debt, government spending, UBI: Universal Basic Income

Bill fights Illinois corruption with online access to government spending, records

By Justin Carlson
04/19/2021
Putting the public’s business on public display can help Illinois reform its culture of corruption and control government waste. An Illinois House bill will put more local government records online.

TAGS: corruption, government spending, Illinois, local government, transparency

5 reasons why Illinois’ latest spending plan insults taxpayers

By Adam Schuster
05/29/2020
Lawmakers made no serious attempt to balance the new budget, instead counting on a federal bailout. They accepted an $1,800 raise for themselves, while only making significant cuts to education.

TAGS: budget, government spending, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, special session

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Budget + Tax / Research Report

Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan


After years of enhanced revenue from federal aid, a return to the basic principles of budgeting can put Illinois on the path to long-term financial stability

View Report

Report Archive

Education / Your Story

John Jacob

Labor / Policy Point

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014
Illinois Policy In the News

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

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016

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