Illinois gasoline taxes rise to No. 2 in nation

By Noah Shaar

08/03/2021

Illinois drivers now pay the second-highest taxes on their gasoline in the nation, a new survey found. Before the state doubled the gas tax, Illinois ranked much lower.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

Fact check: Pritzker claims balanced budgets; state reports show he’s wrong

By Adam Schuster, Luke Schafer

07/30/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he achieved a balanced budget each year he has been in office. Not true, according to official state comptroller financial reports. Illinois budgets have been in the red for 21 years in a row.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, pensions

Pritzker emergency No. 19 comes almost 2 months after Illinois’ full reopening

By Patrick Andriesen

07/30/2021

Gov. J.B Pritzker extended his own emergency powers and Illinois’ disaster zone status through Aug. 21, claiming they were necessary to promote state vaccination efforts. When asked when he would give up his emergency powers, Pritzker wouldn’t say.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker

Everything you need to know about Illinois unemployment

By Brad Weisenstein

07/29/2021

The Illinois Department of Employment Security was ill-prepared to handle record numbers of unemployed workers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, was slow to distribute federal help, exposed Illinoisans' private information, then lefts thousands on hold awaiting answers. Here's the latest.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, jobs, labor, taxes, unemployment

Pritzker says Illinois could see more COVID-19 shutdowns

By Patrick Andriesen

07/22/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned Illinois could see more shutdowns from COVID-19 after announcing his re-election campaign. He said new restrictions would not repeat preferential treatment of big box retailers over small businesses.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, lockdown

Illinois’ state budget practices earn poor marks from fiscal watchdog

By Justin Carlson

07/15/2021

A Volcker Alliance report on truth and integrity in state budgeting finds Illinois lacking. Debt, budget gimmicks and thin reserve funds gave the state poor marks.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker

Foggy crystal ball leads to 21 years of Illinois budget deficits

By Luke Schafer

07/15/2021

The first step of passing a budget is to determine how much is available to spend. Illinois routinely misses the mark in estimating future revenues. There is a solution.

TAGS: budget, deficit, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker

Illinois may pay bonuses to get workers to take jobs again

By Noah Shaar

07/08/2021

To combat above-average unemployment, Illinois state leaders discussed a possible back-to-work bonus. The state would pay cash to those who go off unemployment.

TAGS: Illinois, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

Last-minute Illinois budget riddled with errors

By Patrick Andriesen

06/17/2021

Because Illinois state lawmakers waited until the last minute to pass a budget, no one noticed multiple errors that could have halted about half of the state’s spending until a month before the fiscal year ended. Haste makes waste of taxpayer dollars.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker

Illinois reopens June 11, but keep those masks handy

By Patrick Andriesen

06/08/2021

Illinoisans on June 11 will take off their masks and breathe a sigh of relief – except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance and Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandates.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, JB Pritzker, masks, reopen