Poor public policy and inefficient government mean Illinois will struggle to provide relief for residents in need during the next downturn.

A proposed 1 percent sales tax for school facilities improvements would bring the city of Springfield’s combined sales tax rate to 9.75 percent – among the highest in the nation.

Taxpayers across Illinois oppose a progressive tax but many state lawmakers still refuse to stand up against House Speaker Mike Madigan’s progressive tax push.

Illinoisans already get hosed at the pump, but politicians are looking for new ways to soak drivers.