Inauguration day: 5 pro-taxpayer reforms Pritzker should push in 2019

By Vincent Caruso

01/14/2019

The Land of Lincoln has a new governor, but the state’s deep-seated problems remain. Here are five reforms that newly inaugurated Gov. J.B. Pritzker could pursue to begin setting the state on the right fiscal path.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, Bruce Rauner, JB Pritzker, local government consolidation, pensions, school district consolidation, spending cap

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

As nation celebrates small businesses, Illinois politicians take them for granted

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

11/19/2018

A history of tax hikes to prop up unsustainable spending makes Illinois a frosty climate for small businesses.

TAGS: employment, jobs, progressive income tax, small business, spending cap, taxes

Poll: High taxes No. 1 reason Illinoisans consider leaving state

By Joe Barnas

09/27/2018

Over half of survey respondents have considered leaving Illinois, citing dysfunctional government, disappointing job opportunities and – above all – high taxes.

TAGS: income tax, outmigration, progressive income tax, spending cap, taxes

Illinois’ income growth second-worst in the nation

By Vincent Caruso

09/14/2018

Amid two record-breaking income tax hikes, growing property tax bills and population decline, the Land of Lincoln’s income growth is trailing the rest of the nation.

TAGS: income, income tax, personal income, pew research, Spending, spending cap, taxes

State of Illinois confirms new budget is out of balance by $1.2B

By Adam Schuster

08/21/2018

Despite claims from some state lawmakers that the fiscal year 2019 budget is balanced, official reports to bond buyers admit a deficit of more than $1 billion.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, credit rating, GOMB, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan, spending cap

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