The Civic Federation’s criticism of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget is a mixed bag, with its own proposals for Illinois’ financial crisis – including nearly $3 billion in tax hikes – missing the mark.
Shrinking Decatur to face budgetary hurdles in coming year
After passing an unbalanced budget in 2017, Decatur will have to address its declining population and revenue as it looks ahead to crafting future budgets.
Some Illinois village managers outearn every state governor
The Mount Prospect village manager is set to receive a $214,000 salary in 2018, joining a long list of other Illinois municipal officials collecting similar and even larger paychecks.
Illinois state budget already in deficit despite record $5 billion tax hike
With the 2018 budget set to spend at least $1.3 billion more than it takes in, members of the General Assembly have hoodwinked Illinoisans once again.
Illinois has 63,000 government workers making over $100K
High-priced government workers cost taxpayers in Illinois $10 billion a year, with municipal managers in areas surrounding Chicago reaping the most benefits.
Why are Illinois Democrats preparing to bail out bankers and cash-strapped local governments?
Bailout bills moving in the Illinois General Assembly would attempt to turn Illinois’ massive debt problems into guaranteed profits for banks and bondholders and a lower standard of living for other Illinoisans.
Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world
State and local tax hikes in Illinois have hurt economic growth, lowered the standard of living, and contributed to out-migration.
Illinois politicians vote to divert $300M from state coffers to fuel local spending
Despite Illinois’ billions in deficit spending and skyrocketing debt, the Illinois House of Representatives passed House Bill 278, which would transfer an additional $300 million per year of state income tax funds to local governments, continuing to prop up local overspending that fuels high property taxes.
Why a fair, balanced budget takes political courage
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle grow more and more powerful as the size of state and local government increases.
Illinois’ tax shell games means taxpayers can’t hold their governments accountable
In 2015 alone, Illinois state government redistributed more than $12 billion in income and other taxes to local governments. These financial shell games have created a needlessly complex system and make it difficult for local taxpayers to hold their governments accountable.