School closures keep over 28,000 Illinois moms out of work

By Orphe Divounguy

05/07/2021

States that have re-opened schools have also increased labor force participation of mothers, evidence suggests.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, Mother's Day, public schools

Illinois cell phone taxes highest in nation

11/21/2020

Nearly one-third of the cell phone bills in Illinois are taxes

TAGS: cell phone tax, wireless tax

Illinois moves closer to becoming first ‘junk’ state with negative credit outlook

By Adam Schuster

04/12/2020

Illinois’ financial outlook was changed from ‘stable’ to ‘negative’ by two major ratings firms, raising the risk the state’s credit rating will formally fall to non-investment grade status.

TAGS: bonds, credit rating, debt, Moody's Investor Service, Standard & Poor's

‘Fair tax’ backers’ own data show progressive income tax hikes harm middle class the most

By Vincent Caruso

05/10/2019

An advocacy group backing Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” plan has argued a progressive income tax hike won’t affect middle-class Illinoisans. But its most recent report shows a middle-class tax hit is likely.

TAGS: CTBA: Center for Budget and Tax Accountability, fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes

5 things Illinoisans need to know about House Democrats’ budget

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/29/2017

Much like other plans in the General Assembly before it, the House Democrats’ budget plan does nothing to structurally reform state government and bring down costs, but instead increases the burden on Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, Illinois House of Representatives, Mike Madigan

7 reasons the Illinois Republicans’ budget plan fails taxpayers

By Craig Lesner, John Klingner

06/16/2017

The budget plan proposed by Republican General Assembly members would raise taxes by over $5 billion without enacting any significant spending reforms.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, education, grand bargain, Illinois House of Representatives, income tax, Jim Durkin, pensions, property taxes

Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.

By Brendan Bakala

02/02/2017

Illinois politicians burden the state’s residents with the highest combined state and average local sales tax rate in the Midwest, along with numerous other taxes and fees.

TAGS: sales tax, taxes

Caterpillar considers moving 800 production jobs out of Aurora

By Brendan Bakala

01/06/2017

Peoria-based heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has announced a possible move of up to 800 manufacturing jobs out of Aurora.

TAGS: Caterpillar, jobs, manufacturing, unemployment, workers compensation

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

By Joe Tabor, Ted Dabrowski

01/04/2017

The little-known legislative rules that govern the legislative process in the Illinois House of Representatives give the House speaker extraordinary power to orchestrate the legislative or political outcomes he or she wants. Those rules allow the speaker to influence the makeup of legislative committees; how lawmakers vote; and when, if ever, the bills get voted...

Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

04/22/2016

Nearly 25 percent of Illinois school districts serve just one school, and over one-third of all school districts have fewer than 600 students.

Arkansas

School closures keep over 28,000 Illinois moms out of work

Illinois cell phone taxes highest in nation

Illinois moves closer to becoming first ‘junk’ state with negative credit outlook

‘Fair tax’ backers’ own data show progressive income tax hikes harm middle class the most

5 things Illinoisans need to know about House Democrats’ budget

7 reasons the Illinois Republicans’ budget plan fails taxpayers

Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.

Caterpillar considers moving 800 production jobs out of Aurora

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens

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