Illinois jobs growth spikes in June, double the growth of the rest of the U.S.

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

07/20/2018

Illinois added 18,100 new jobs in June, the highest monthly increase since summer 2017, but the Prairie State still lags behind the rest of the nation for the post-recession period.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, credit rating, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, income tax, jobs, spending cap, taxes, unemployment

Failure: On the anniversary of Illinois’ 2017 tax hike

By Adam Schuster

07/03/2018

One year after a record-setting tax hike the state still can’t balance a budget, has done nothing to solve long-term fiscal problems and has further damaged its economic growth.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, income tax, jobs, Mike Madigan, spending cap, taxes

Illinois’ rainy day fund would cover only 81 seconds of state spending

By Joe Barnas

06/25/2018

The Land of Lincoln's meager rainy day fund would leave the state exposed in the event of another recession.

TAGS: budget, Spending, spending cap

Rauner signs spending plan into law

By Adam Schuster

06/04/2018

While it’s the closest the state has come to passing a balanced budget in years, Illinois’ new spending plan leaves a lot to be desired for taxpayers.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, Bruce Rauner, budget, Spending, spending cap

Shrinking communities bode ill for Illinois’ economy

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

05/30/2018

More than three-quarters Illinois communities lost population over the year, and nearly all of the state’s major metro areas are lagging the nation on key economic indicators.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, employment, income tax, labor force participation rate, outmigration, personal income, population, progressive income tax, spending cap, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau, unemployment

Chicago was the only major U.S. city to lose population from 2016 to 2017

By Austin Berg

05/23/2018

In a shrinking state, half of Illinois’ largest cities have shed population since 2010.

TAGS: Belleville, Chicago, decatur, jobs, Metro East, outmigration, peoria, population, rockford, Spending, spending cap, U.S. Census Bureau

As budget deadline looms, Illinois lawmakers push bill aimed at carnival workers

By Vincent Caruso

05/22/2018

Springfield is struggling to juggle its priorities, with state lawmakers pressing up against time to pass a budget for the coming fiscal year.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, criminal justice reform, scott bennett, Spending, spending cap

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, Illinois General Assembly, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, Spending, spending cap, taxes

How to mislead Illinoisans into accepting higher taxes

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

05/03/2018

A new report would have Illinoisans believe that a progressive income tax means tax cuts and economic growth. Illinois lawmakers’ tax-and-spend tendencies and evidence from all 50 states say otherwise.

TAGS: CTBA: Center for Budget and Tax Accountability, deficit, GDP, graduated income tax, income tax, inequality, jobs, progressive income tax, ralph martire, Spending, spending cap, taxes

Lawmakers stand for spending cap in Springfield

By Joe Tabor

04/27/2018

A constitutional amendment to impose fiscal discipline on state lawmakers is gaining bipartisan support.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, Michael Connelly, Spending, spending cap, taxes, Tom Cullerton