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

Chicago, Cook County employees will see more money in their paychecks

By Mailee Smith

07/19/2018

At least 730 Cook County and 646 Chicago employees have been freed from paying forced union fees following the Janus v. AFSCME decision.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, agency fees, fair share, income tax, Janus v. AFSCME, taxes

Janus decision means some Illinois state workers effectively see 2017 tax hike reversed

By Adam Schuster

07/19/2018

The 2017 permanent income tax hike took $732 from the median Illinois household, roughly the same as the $737 that will be returned to state workers who were previously forced to pay “fair share” fees to government unions.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, agency fees, budget, fair share, income tax, Janus v. AFSCME, taxes

Outgoing Lake Forest official poised to collect large pension following Amtrak lobbying scandal

By Vincent Caruso

07/18/2018

Months after an investigation found Lake Forest’s city manager to have squandered $200,000 on unauthorized lobbying payments, the north suburban official announced plans to retire next year.

TAGS: Bob Kiely, Chicago City College, city manager, Lake County, Lake Forest, property taxes, taxes

Alton voters will choose whether to eliminate township in November

By Vincent Caruso

07/12/2018

Alton residents are paying for two overlapping units of government – the city of Alton and Alton Township. But voters will soon have the chance to slash costs by dissolving the city’s redundant township.

TAGS: Alton, budget, consolidation, pensions, taxes, townships

East Alton eyes $35K in savings, but pension woes loom much larger

By Vincent Caruso

07/05/2018

Severely underwater public safety pensions have already derailed the finances of other municipalities, such as Harvey and North Chicago.

TAGS: East Alton, municipal pensions, pensions, spending, taxes

Bottle racket: Illinois’ high alcohol taxes boost cost of Independence Day celebrations

By Eddie Damstra

07/03/2018

The Land of Lincoln has some of the highest alcohol taxes in the Midwest. And Illinoisans preparing for Independence Day are feeling the pinch.

TAGS: alcohol tax, craft beer, liquor laws, taxes

New Bloomington city manager to outearn 49 U.S. governors

07/03/2018

Decatur City’s city manager is on his way to take the same post in Bloomington, and with it a raise that will push his income above 49 of the nation’s 50 governors.

TAGS: Bloomington, budget, Decatur, taxes

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

Jobs data: After 2017 income tax hike, Illinois slows while nation grows

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

07/02/2018

As national jobs growth kept up a steady clip, Illinois saw jobs growth dip after lawmakers passed a historic tax hike.

TAGS: employment, income tax, jobs, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau

taxes

Illinois jobs growth spikes in June, double the growth of the rest of the U.S.

Chicago, Cook County employees will see more money in their paychecks

Janus decision means some Illinois state workers effectively see 2017 tax hike reversed

Outgoing Lake Forest official poised to collect large pension following Amtrak lobbying scandal

Alton voters will choose whether to eliminate township in November

East Alton eyes $35K in savings, but pension woes loom much larger

Bottle racket: Illinois’ high alcohol taxes boost cost of Independence Day celebrations

New Bloomington city manager to outearn 49 U.S. governors

Failure: On the anniversary of Illinois’ 2017 tax hike

Jobs data: After 2017 income tax hike, Illinois slows while nation grows

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students