Circuit court rules Illinois pension bill unconstitutional
Senate Bill 1 has been stuck down.
4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap
Causes, costs, how to set the state free
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Budgeting for tax relief: Rauner’s balancing act begins with fiscal year 2015
Fiscal year 2015 will be a key to future budget success. Is the governor-elect up to the task?
Illinois’ pension debt balloons to $111 billion
With a mere 39 cents on hand for every dollar needed to pay for future benefits, the state would need a three-year government shutdown just to break even.
States on the move: 401(k)-style pension reform in Georgia
The Peach State has been keen to modernize their public pension system.
How Bruce Rauner can stop the bleeding
The governor-elect could deliver a blow to Illinois’ pension woes, with or without SB 1, by pushing for 401(k)-style plans.
Federal judge approves Detroit pension cuts
A federal judge approved Detroit’s historic Chapter 9 bankruptcy, allowing the city to shave off $7 billion in liabilities from a total debt of $18 billion.
State payment to teacher pensions grows by $300M
At the rate pension costs are expected to increase, by 2029 the state will spend more on retirement costs than on aid to schools.
2015 State Business Tax Climate Index: Illinois drops to 31st
Illinois’ burdensome tax climate for businesses will continue to hold the state back from creating jobs and growing the economy in 2015. The Tax Foundation issued its 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index, reporting that Illinois dropped two positions in the ranking since last year, to 31st from 29th. Prior to 2011, Illinois steadily ranked...
Chicago cellphone taxes highest in nation
Everywhere they look, Chicagoans see ads urging them to switch their cellphone service. One major provider urges customers to purchase a four-line family plan with all the texting, talking and data one could possibly use for only $100 per month. But the ad fails to mention that a Chicago family would actually have to pay...
School districts should stop using tax dollars to support ballot measures
Should a school district be allowed to use your tax dollars to promote a ballot measure that would raise sales taxes? Of course not. In fact, the Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics Act requires all units of local government, including school boards, to adopt policies prohibiting their officials and employees from using government resources...
