Bill restricting government promotional spending advances in General Assembly

By Vincent Caruso

03/08/2018

An investigation in December 2017 found that a convention for municipalities and public agencies ran taxpayers nearly $120,000 in exhibition and hospitality costs. A proposal making its way through the General Assembly would bar state funds from contributing to these excesses.

TAGS: David McSweeney, Illinois General Assembly, Spending

Illinois House adjourns for month-long spring break

By Austin Berg

03/08/2018

House members won't return to the Statehouse until the second week of April.

TAGS: Illinois General Assembly, lawmaker pay

Full month’s pay for a day’s work? New bill ends loophole for state lawmakers

By Brendan Bakala

01/30/2018

House Bill 4273 would eliminate a loophole in state law that allows lawmakers to receive a month's pay for a day of work.

TAGS: Illinois General Assembly, lawmaker pay, pensions

Why Illinois needs a spending cap

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

01/27/2018

Spending has consistently outpaced state tax revenues in Illinois for more than a decade. To avoid future tax hikes, Illinois must impose real fiscal discipline on state lawmakers.

TAGS: debt, deficit, Illinois General Assembly, income tax, Spending, taxes

The audacity of broke

By Austin Berg

01/25/2018

Illinois is broke. But leaders don’t act like it.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, collective bargaining, Illinois General Assembly, outmigration, taxes

Proposed bill would prohibit unfunded mandates, require revenue for all discretionary spending

By Vincent Caruso

01/24/2018

The Taxpayer Fiscal Charter Act would demand funding transparency before spending bills make their way out of Springfield.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, Illinois General Assembly, Spending, taxes

Hold on to your wallets, Springfield back in session for 2018

By Austin Berg

01/18/2018

With statewide elections in November, the 2018 forecast calls for gridlock.

TAGS: Illinois General Assembly, income tax, Mike Madigan, outmigration, progressive income tax

Illinois General Assembly, 2017 in review: State pet, state grain, but no fixes

By Mindy Ruckman

01/02/2018

Illinois lawmakers passed hundreds of bills in 2017, but enacted no real reforms to boost the state’s economy, rein in the cost of government or provide relief to taxpayers.

TAGS: education, Illinois General Assembly, income tax, property taxes, small business, taxes

Island of Misfit Toys: Illinois lawmakers head for the exits

By Austin Berg

12/20/2017

Thirty-three state representatives and senators will not be returning in the next General Assembly in 2019.

TAGS: Illinois General Assembly, income tax, term limits

In a tough year, some new Illinois laws to welcome

By Mindy Ruckman

11/26/2017

While 2017 was a bad year for Illinois taxpayers, there are bright spots among the bills that passed the General Assembly.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, expungement, Illinois General Assembly, IMRF: Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, local government consolidation, municipal pensions, pensions, record sealing