With an abundance of freight lines and roadways, along with a reliable power grid, Illinois placed No. 1 in the U.S. for infrastructure. But state finances are a threat, and political pork needs to give way to projects that move the most people and goods.
Pritzker claims statewide economic growth, but these Illinois metro areas are shedding jobs
Despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker touting growth in “every major region,” Illinois shed jobs in three metropolitan areas and lagged the national average in seven more.
Illinois government spending growth among nation’s highest, personal income growth among lowest
Robust growth in government spending has failed to yield similar results for Illinoisans’ incomes
Illinois home price growth slowest in nation last year
Home price appreciation in Illinois was the slowest in the U.S. between the third quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2019, federal data showed.
State of the state: Pritzker saw worst first-year jobs numbers since Blagojevich
Illinois job creation lagged the national median in nearly every sector.
9 new Illinois taxes totaling $1.7B take effect Jan. 1
Nearly half of the 20 tax and fee hikes passed to support a record $40 billion state budget and $45 billion infrastructure plan hit on New Year’s Day.
Pritzker promises over $10B in new spending on $3.7B progressive tax hike
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” plan falls far short of the revenue needed to pay for his spending promises – feeding fears of future tax hikes on middle-class families.
How local government spends your taxes soon may be a click away
Local governments must maintain certain financial records, but not all make it easy for taxpayers to obtain it. A bill headed to the Illinois House floor would put local government financial records online.
Pritzker’s proposed tax and fee hikes total $4.5 billion
The new governor has thus far refused to address the root causes of Illinois’ dismal finances.
Cullerton spending cap would avert future Illinois tax hikes
State spending has grown nearly 50 percent faster than Illinoisans’ incomes during the past decade. State Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, has proposed a constitutional spending cap that offers a long-term solution to the state’s budgetary problems.