Christmas wish list: 12 gifts for Illinois taxpayers in 2019

By Vincent Caruso

12/19/2018

In 2018, Springfield handed Illinoisans more of the same repackaged policy failures. Lawmakers in the coming year should tape to their desks this wish list of taxpayer-friendly reforms.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, criminal justice reform, education, graduated income tax, income tax, pensions, prison reform, progressive income tax, property taxes, school choice, school district consolidation, sentencing reform, spending cap, U.S. Census Bureau

Report: Recidivism to cost Illinois more than $13B over next 5 years

By Vincent Caruso

08/03/2018

Even a small decrease in the recidivism rate can yield millions of dollars in taxpayer savings while improving public safety.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, prison reform, recidivism

Rauner calls for closed-circuit cameras to replace watchtower guards in effort to cut overtime costs

By Brendan Bakala

03/22/2017

A spokeswoman for the governor said the measure would cut overtime costs and help reduce the state’s corrections budget.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, budget, prison, prison reform

Rauner, lawmakers push for IDs for ex-offenders

By Bryant Jackson-Green

09/30/2016

Gov. Bruce Rauner and a bipartisan group of lawmakers are supporting SB 3368, which would issue IDs to ex-offenders immediately upon release from prison, easing their transition to post-prison life and employment.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, prison, prison reform

Rauner signs bill limiting prison phone call costs

By Bryant Jackson-Green

09/13/2016

New law reduces the rate for which Illinois’ adult and juvenile corrections facilities can contract for inmate telephone service.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, prison, prison reform

Majority of Illinoisans think the state’s criminal-justice system is unfair

By Bryant Jackson-Green

08/08/2016

A new Illinois Policy Institute report discusses a recent poll showing broad concern about the fairness and effectiveness of Illinois’ criminal-justice system and strong support for reforms to improve it.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, prison reform, public safety, reentry

Fixing Illinois’ criminal-justice system means embracing sentencing reform, removing barriers to work

By Bryant Jackson-Green

11/05/2015

Alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders

TAGS: adult redeploy, prison reform, recidivism

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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