5 things wrong with Illinois holding 30% of U.S. pension bond debt

By Adam Schuster, Aneesh Bafna

09/10/2021

Pension obligation bonds, like payday loans, are a sign of mismanaged finances. Illinois not only leads the nation for using that risky debt, it owes the bulk of it.

TAGS: credit rating, debt, Illinois, pension obligation bonds

Suburban residents risk losing homes over rising pension costs

By Amy Korte

09/01/2021

Because the cost of generous government retirement packages has grown faster than existing government revenues can sustain, property taxes continue to climb.

TAGS: collar counties, Illinois, pensions, property taxes

Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois

By Perry Zhao

08/25/2021

State revenue losses around the country have ranged from far less than expected to non-existent. Fiscally healthy states are giving back to taxpayers. That doesn’t include Illinois.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, taxes

Illinois falls farther behind national economic recovery in July

By Bryce Hill

08/23/2021

Despite the strongest jobs report in months, Illinois’ unemployment rate remains high as the U.S. rate continues to drop.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

Chicago’s COVID-19 nurse shortage shows why Illinois must join Nurse Licensure Compact

By Joe Tabor

08/19/2021

The interstate nursing license compact received bipartisan support in the Illinois General Assembly but was opposed by labor unions. COVID-19 medical staffing shortages prove the wisdom of letting nurses be more mobile.

TAGS: Illinois, Nurse Licensure Compact

Illinois hits snags with new COVID-19 vaccine verification system

By Noah Shaar

08/18/2021

Vax Verify, Illinois’ new resident immunization portal, contains incorrect COVID-19 vaccine records. In a state where data leaks and hacks have been too common, the potential for health information being exposed is a reasonable worry.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, Vax Verify

Amendment to Illinois Constitution is much more than right-to-work ban

By Joe Tabor

08/16/2021

The proposed constitutional amendment placed on the 2022 ballot by the Illinois General Assembly would put every provision in union contracts beyond the reach of state law.

TAGS: government unions, Illinois, public sector, right to work

Rural areas lose to cities amid Illinois’ historic population loss

By Bryce Hill

08/13/2021

Chicago and other urban areas in Illinois gained people compared to the rural areas, with 87 of 102 counties losing people in the 2020 U.S. Census.

TAGS: Chicago, Illinois, population, U.S. Census Bureau

S&P: Growing debt, refusing reforms, population loss doom Illinois public pensions

By Noah Shaar

08/11/2021

S&P Global Ratings said Illinois’ public pension systems are in trouble, and will get worse thanks to the Illinois Exodus and because state leaders refuse to fix the problems.

TAGS: debt, Illinois, outmigration, pensions, population

COVID-19 tests, masks required to see some of Illinois State Fair

By Noah Shaar

08/10/2021

2021’s Illinois State Fair will require all visitors to wear masks indoors and prove vaccination or a negative test to enter certain venues.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, Illinois, JB Pritzker, masks, Springfield, State Fair, vaccine

Illinois

5 things wrong with Illinois holding 30% of U.S. pension bond debt

Suburban residents risk losing homes over rising pension costs

Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois

Illinois falls farther behind national economic recovery in July

Chicago’s COVID-19 nurse shortage shows why Illinois must join Nurse Licensure Compact

Illinois hits snags with new COVID-19 vaccine verification system

Amendment to Illinois Constitution is much more than right-to-work ban

Rural areas lose to cities amid Illinois’ historic population loss

S&P: Growing debt, refusing reforms, population loss doom Illinois public pensions

COVID-19 tests, masks required to see some of Illinois State Fair

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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