Pritzker, Madigan pledge progressive income tax hike by May

By Vincent Caruso

02/22/2019

Pritzker’s first budget address exalted the graduated income tax as a solution to the state’s fiscal problems. Despite evidence to the contrary, the governor is urging state lawmakers to speedily advance the measure.

TAGS: income tax, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, outmigration, pensions, progressive income tax, taxes

Statewide $15 minimum wage passes Illinois House, ready for Pritzker

By Vincent Caruso

02/14/2019

The Illinois House voted for a statewide $15 minimum wage – adding $1.1 billion to the state payroll, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: employment, JB Pritzker, jobs, Mike Madigan, minimum wage, outmigration, unemployment

Blank check: Illinois lawmakers file progressive income tax amendment

By Adam Schuster

02/08/2019

An amendment to scrap Illinois’ constitutional flat tax protection is gaining sponsors in the Illinois Senate. Lawmakers have refused to discuss rates since those details killed the last progressive tax attempt.

TAGS: Don Harmon, graduated income tax, income, income tax, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes

Moody’s: New taxes could accelerate Illinois exodus

By Vincent Caruso

02/08/2019

Ahead of Gov. Pritzker’s first budget address, one of the “big three” credit rating services warned the new governor against raising taxes.

TAGS: bonds, credit rating, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, Moody's Investor Service

Make no mistake, a progressive tax is a tax hike on you

By Austin Berg

02/07/2019

Political promises aren’t much protection for middle class pocketbooks.

TAGS: Don Harmon, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, SALT, taxes

Madigan aides sought out, assisted alleged ‘sham’ candidates in primary election

By Austin Berg

02/01/2019

Madigan’s 2016 primary opponent filed a lawsuit alleging the House speaker recruited “sham” candidates in order to dilute opposition.

TAGS: Jason Gonzales, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan

Proposed amendment would place term limits on top Illinois lawmakers

By Vincent Caruso

01/31/2019

A lawmaker would only be allowed to serve in the powerful role of Illinois House speaker for a maximum of eight years under a proposed constitutional amendment recently introduced in the General Assembly.

TAGS: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan, term limits, Tim Butler

Feds drilling to the core of Illinois power, politics

By Austin Berg

01/31/2019

What’s important for Illinoisans to know now is not just whether politically powerful people such as Burke and Madigan broke the law, but how the law itself encourages indecent behavior.

TAGS: Chicago, Danny Solis, Ed Burke, Mike Madigan

Illinois House passes rules giving Madigan extraordinary power – again

By Joe Tabor

01/29/2019

On Jan. 29 the Illinois House of Representatives voted on new House Rules, but none of the new rules addressed the unparalleled power the Speaker of the House is given over the legislative process.

TAGS: house rules, Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Mike Madigan, rules

Taxpayer victory: Illinois House cuts committee bloat

By Austin Berg

01/29/2019

A glut of $10,000-a-head committee chair positions has been a key tool for House Speaker Mike Madigan to maintain power over members.

TAGS: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Mike Madigan

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

Gov. J.B. Pritzker inherited a $2.8 billion budget deficit the moment he stepped into office. Next year, that deficit is projected to be $3.4 billion1. It’s the same story every budget season. But Illinois’ budget crises could be a thing of the past if the state would adopt pension reform, right-size its union contracts and...

View Report

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

Report Archive

Tracy Ross

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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