New census data tell the tale of Quad Cities

By Austin Berg

05/25/2018

If current population trends hold, Rock Island, Illinois, will take a back seat to Bettendorf, Iowa, within five years.

TAGS: Iowa, outmigration, personal income, population, property taxes, Quad Cities, Rock Island County, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau

Elimination of Alton Township could be placed in voters’ hands

By Vincent Caruso

05/24/2018

Taxpayers in the city of Alton, which has identical borders to that of Alton Township, could see savings through consolidation.

TAGS: Alton, budget, consolidation, local government consolidation, Metro East, taxes

In a shrinking state, Census sheds light on struggling cities

By Austin Berg

05/24/2018

When people can’t find good job opportunities in Illinois, they are too often forced to leave. And to take their place, too few have enough confidence in the state to move in from elsewhere and build a future.

TAGS: Belleville, Decatur, jobs, outmigration, progressive income tax, property taxes, Robert Martwick, Rockford, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau, unemployment

More than 90 local government leaders sign on to letter opposing progressive tax

By Jim Long

05/21/2018

Local government leaders across Illinois are asking their state lawmakers to stand up against House Speaker Mike Madigan’s progressive tax push.

TAGS: local government, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, taxes

Decatur’s fiscal bind may lead to police and fire layoffs

05/19/2018

Reductions in state subsidies are one reason for Decatur’s predicament, but long-running pension woes are an even larger source of pain.

TAGS: budget, Decatur, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes

By Austin Berg

05/18/2018

Residents of St. Clair and Madison Counties will soon see some of the nation’s most punishing property tax bills.

TAGS: collective bargaining, Madison County, Metro East, municipal pensions, pensions, prevailing wage, property taxes, St. Clair County, taxes

Civic Federation calls for tax hikes, opposes sensible reform in budget criticism

By Adam Schuster

05/17/2018

The Civic Federation’s criticism of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget is a mixed bag, with its own proposals for Illinois’ financial crisis – including nearly $3 billion in tax hikes – missing the mark.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, Civic Federation, health insurance, income tax, Laurence Msall, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, municipal pensions, pensions, progressive income tax, taxes

Proposal: Make Illinois property taxes highest in the nation to pay state pension debts

By Austin Berg

05/16/2018

A proposal to levy a statewide 1 percent residential property tax would vault Illinoisans’ property tax burden to the highest of all 50 states.

TAGS: Federal Reserve, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Carbondale employees see raises despite deeply underwater pension funds

By Vincent Caruso

05/16/2018

As local leaders reach an agreement with the city’s public safety unions, the retirement security of Carbondale’s police and fire workers slides further out of reach.

TAGS: 401(k), budget, Carbondale, collective bargaining, contract, labor, pensions, property taxes, taxes, unions

In budget bind, Decatur cuts golf sponsorship

05/15/2018

The Decatur City Council moved to stop paying $20,000 to sponsor a golf tournament with the village of Forsyth, a sensible move for a shrinking city operating on a budget deficit.

TAGS: budget, Decatur, deficit, Macon County, outmigration, property taxes, taxes

taxes

New census data tell the tale of Quad Cities

Elimination of Alton Township could be placed in voters’ hands

In a shrinking state, Census sheds light on struggling cities

More than 90 local government leaders sign on to letter opposing progressive tax

Decatur’s fiscal bind may lead to police and fire layoffs

Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes

Civic Federation calls for tax hikes, opposes sensible reform in budget criticism

Proposal: Make Illinois property taxes highest in the nation to pay state pension debts

Carbondale employees see raises despite deeply underwater pension funds

In budget bind, Decatur cuts golf sponsorship

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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