Unions spend nearly $5M to push property tax hikes through Amendment 1

By Hannah Schmid

06/27/2022

The majority of the support for a constitutional amendment that would raise taxes on Illinoisans comes from union coffers, with nearly $5 million donated so far. Unions also funded the failed progressive tax push in 2020.

TAGS: Amendment 1, government unions, tax hikes, taxes, unions

Pritzker’s record: 24 tax, fee hikes taking $5.24 billion more from Illinoisans

By Adam Schuster, Patrick Andriesen

08/25/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has added more than $5.24 billion in new or higher taxes and fees since taking office. Despite all that new revenue, the nation’s highest taxed state remains a fiscal mess unable to balance a budget for 21 years.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, tax hikes

Illinois House bill seeks to end waste and corruption in infrastructure spending

By Aneesh Bafna

04/30/2021

House Bill 253 would create data-driven process for selecting future infrastructure projects in an attempt to end wasteful and politically motivated spending.

TAGS: Illinois, infrastructure, pork barrel spending, tax hikes, transportation, waste

Bill would match Illinois spending to what taxpayers can afford

By Bryce Hill

04/02/2021

A bipartisan ‘spending cap’ bill would allow predictable, sustainable growth in state spending without tax hikes. Illinois is one of the few states without a similar fiscal restraint.

TAGS: budget, spending cap, tax hikes

Illinois state tax revenue is rising, so why is Pritzker pushing small business tax hikes?

By Brad Weisenstein

03/18/2021

COVID-19 prompted $7.5 billion in federal relief, but state revenues were up during the past 8 months. Delayed tax due dates were partly responsible, but revenue even grew where it should have declined. So why should small businesses have to come up with $2 billion more?

TAGS: JB Pritzker, revenue, small business, tax hikes

Illinois lawmakers moving fast to pass $1B in tax hikes on small businesses

By Bryce Hill

03/17/2021

Small businesses got federal tax relief to handle the COVID-19 economic downturn. Now Springfield is trying to take away the same break on state taxes, costing the state’s main job creators $1 billion with hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans still out of work.

TAGS: decoupling, JB Pritzker, small business, tax hikes

Pritzker again after up to $1B tax hike on 440,000 Illinois small businesses

By Bryce Hill

03/16/2021

Federal tax relief was championed so small businesses could better deal with COVID-19 economic impacts. Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to undo that relief to keep $1 billion in state taxes from Illinois small businesses.

TAGS: corporate income tax, JB Pritzker, small business, tax hikes

Pritzker’s budget pushes 9 new taxes worth nearly $1 billion

By Adam Schuster

02/24/2021

The budget proposal includes no reforms to pensions or other cost drivers, misleadingly labels various business tax increases as ‘closing corporate tax loopholes,’ and relies on gimmicks that conceal true deficits. And there’s a new gas tax.

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, tax hikes

Pritzker wants $500M tax hike on Illinois small businesses

By Adam Schuster

01/13/2021

Congress provided tax benefits for business losses in the CARES Act to help offset economic challenges during the pandemic. Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to undo that relief to raise revenue for Illinois.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, recession, small business, tax hikes

Illinois drivers surrounded by states with lower gas tax rates

08/05/2020

Illinois doubled the gas tax in 2019, which pushed it to No. 3 in the nation for highest average gas tax.

TAGS: gas tax, tax hikes

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