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, 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

Will Illinois pass a budget this year?

By Adam Schuster

04/20/2018

History shows lawmakers prefer to avoid tough but necessary choices.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, credit rating, debt, income tax, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, Spending, spending cap, taxes

The painful push for a progressive tax in Illinois

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

04/04/2018

Instead of pushing for further tax hikes on tapped-out taxpayers, lawmakers should rally behind a bipartisan effort to limit state spending.

TAGS: Allen Skillicorn, income tax, progressive income tax, Robert Martwick, Spending, spending cap, taxes, Tom Cullerton

Outmigration fuels Madison, St. Clair County population dips in 2017

By Joe Kaiser

03/25/2018

Madison and St. Clair counties both saw their populations decline from July 2016 to July 2017, thanks to outmigration – a problem the counties have been dealing with for years.

TAGS: Madison County, outmigration, population, Spending, spending cap, St. Clair County

Illinois sees stagnant jobs growth, declining labor force in January

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

03/13/2018

Despite healthy jobs growth nationally, Illinoisans are desperate for work.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, income tax, jobs, labor force participation rate, progressive income tax, spending cap

House committee passes bill capping growth in administrative spending at Illinois schools

By Vincent Caruso

02/28/2018

Illinois' spending on administrative costs is among the highest in the nation, sapping scarce dollars from the classroom. But a new bill would slow the growth in these expenses and align them with taxpayers' ability to pay.

TAGS: consolidation, school district consolidation, spending cap