Pension reform is more popular than Pritzker, and other Illinois polling data that may surprise you

By Austin Berg

03/12/2020

Three points stick out in recently released numbers: First, J.B. Pritzker is not a popular governor. Second, pollsters need to get real about the “fair tax” fantasy. And third, pension reform draws a diverse base of support, except at the Statehouse

TAGS: fair tax, JB Pritzker, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, pensions, progressive income tax

Poll shows diverse support for Illinois pension reform

By Ben Szalinski

03/11/2020

Illinois Democrats, union members, government or nonprofit workers, and people of all income groups support a pension amendment that allows for changes in cost-of-living raises and other future benefits.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, Illinois Constitution, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, pensions

Cap spending now: Illinois taxpayers need a responsible budget this year

By Adam Schuster

05/04/2018

Lawmakers should voluntarily adopt a spending cap to give taxpayers the certainty they deserve.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, bonds, budget, COGFA: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, credit rating, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, spending, spending cap, taxes

Poll results show only 1/3 of Illinoisans say they’ve been affected by the budget impasse

By Hilary Gowins

03/24/2017

Forty percent of respondents to a newly released statewide poll blame the government for poverty. Poll results also show that Illinoisans feel insecure about jobs and education, in addition to frustration with government dysfunction.

TAGS: budget, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute

Young workers, public policy failures are driving Illinois’ out-migration

By Michael Lucci

10/15/2016

New poll indicates that younger workers want to flee the state the most, and Illinois’ high-tax, anti-growth policies are encouraging them to do so.

TAGS: jobs, outmigration, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, unemployment

Face it: Property taxes are forcing Illinoisans out of their homes

By Austin Berg

10/13/2016

Nearly half of respondents said they would like to leave the state, including almost two-thirds of millennials.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Gallup, Mike Madigan, outmigration, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, Steve Brown

To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s power over Illinois politics is more precarious than ever. A steady stream of federal investigations, wiretaps and raids of people close to him, a deferred prosecution agreement with Commonwealth Edison wherein the utility giant admitted to bribing the speaker, and a grand jury subpoena served to Madigan’s office have led...

View Report

To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

Report Archive

Carrie Schindler

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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