Budget gimmicks explained: Why the new Illinois spending plan is not balanced

By Adam Schuster

06/01/2018

Lawmakers claiming to have passed a balanced budget are relying on a number of common, but deceptive, budget maneuvers.

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

Janus v. AFSCME: A new era of freedom for government workers on the line

By Mailee Smith

05/04/2018

The Janus case could mean the restoration of government workers’ constitutional right to free speech.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, fair share, Janus v. AFSCME, labor, U.S. Supreme Court, unions

Bill to rein in state health care costs killed in the Senate

By Mailee Smith

04/27/2018

Senate Democrats killed a chance this week to rein in government spending, instead siding with government unions that prioritize their own power over the fiscal health of the state. Illinois taxpayers pay nearly $15,000 per state worker in health care costs alone under the most recent contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bill Brady, collective bargaining, health care, state worker pay

More than 100 township governments file in opposition to township consolidation bill

By Vincent Caruso

04/12/2018

A House bill that would allow communities to consolidate local township governments has earned support from both parties – and the opposition of township officials.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, Sam Yingling, townships

Report: AFSCME protected ‘seemingly untouchable’ employee from termination, despite history of violence and sexual harassment

By Vincent Caruso

04/06/2018

A Chicago city worker terminated in 2017 exhibited a pattern of serious misconduct spanning nearly 20 years. But Illinois’ largest public sector union won him back his job.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Chicago

Janus v. AFSCME: The myth of ‘free riders’

By Mailee Smith

02/27/2018

Government unions claim providing workers with a choice whether to pay fees to a union will result in "free riders" - but that claim is disingenuous.

TAGS: AFL-CIO, AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining, free rider, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, Janus v. AFSCME, labor

Budget Solutions 2019: The responsible budget for Illinois

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

02/06/2018

Even after a 32 percent income tax hike, the Illinois General Assembly passed a state budget in 2017 that will generate an estimated $1.5 billion deficit in fiscal year 2018. That deficit is projected to grow to $2.15 billion in fiscal year 2019, according to the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, or GOMB. The...

The audacity of broke

By Austin Berg

01/25/2018

Illinois is broke. But leaders don’t act like it.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, collective bargaining, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, outmigration, taxes

Ill-timed computer glitch causes drop in Illinois food stamp rolls

By Vincent Caruso

12/21/2017

Some SNAP-dependent households saw their benefits disappear this holiday season.

TAGS: food stamps, SNAP

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

Budget gimmicks explained: Why the new Illinois spending plan is not balanced

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

Janus v. AFSCME: A new era of freedom for government workers on the line

Bill to rein in state health care costs killed in the Senate

More than 100 township governments file in opposition to township consolidation bill

Report: AFSCME protected ‘seemingly untouchable’ employee from termination, despite history of violence and sexual harassment

Janus v. AFSCME: The myth of ‘free riders’

Budget Solutions 2019: The responsible budget for Illinois

The audacity of broke

Ill-timed computer glitch causes drop in Illinois food stamp rolls

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