Southwestern Illinois taxpayers hand airport $160M to keep it open

By Brad Weisenstein

09/05/2025

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport has been a drain on taxpayers since it opened in 1995, requiring money from other county funds to keep it open. That total jumped last year to $14.83 million, bringing total subsidies since 2002 to $160 million.

Report: Chicago Teachers Union is new Chicago political machine

By Mailee Smith

09/25/2024

Years of exorbitant political spending in Illinois – more than $24.3 million since 2010 – has secured an enormous amount of political influence for the Chicago Teachers Union. It is now the main political player not just in Chicago, but across the state.

Southern Illinois taxpayers spend $134.4M since 2002 to keep airport open

By Brad Weisenstein

09/08/2023

An underused airport near Belleville, Illinois, has required local taxpayers to chip in $134.4 million since 2002 to keep it operating.

TAGS: MidAmerica Airport

Southern Illinois taxpayers spend $124.5M since 2002 to keep airport open

By Brad Weisenstein

09/28/2022

An underused airport near Belleville, Illinois, has required local taxpayers to chip in $124.5 million since 2002 to keep it operating.

TAGS: MidAmerica Airport

$119.5M later, Southern Illinois taxpayers still trying to get airport off ground

By Brad Weisenstein

09/27/2021

An underused airport near Belleville, Illinois, has required local taxpayers to chip in $119.5 million since 2002 to keep it operating. Even with pandemic money, 2020 was even worse.

TAGS: MidAmerica Airport, property taxes, St. Clair County

Illinois gasoline taxes rise to No. 2 in nation

By Noah Shaar

08/03/2021

Illinois drivers now pay the second-highest taxes on their gasoline in the nation, a new survey found. Before the state doubled the gas tax, Illinois ranked much lower.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

Exelon lobbyist pushes $14.4 million payday for Springfield lawmakers

By Patrick Andriesen

06/15/2021

The Illinois General Assembly voted for a decade to eliminate annual cost-of-living adjustments for lawmaker salaries after the Great Recession. Now, former state lawmakers are suing the state to put that money right back into politicians’ pockets.

TAGS: Exelon, lawmaker pay, lobbying

Judge says taxpayers owe 2 Illinois senators who voted to reject raises

By Brad Weisenstein

04/12/2021

Judge rules in favor of two former state senators seeking the back pay they rejected and then crowed about rejecting. Ruling applies only to the pair.

TAGS: Illinois, Illinois Comptroller, lawmaker pay

Too many government units means property taxes are too high in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

03/30/2021

A bill to eliminate some of Illinois’ 1,400 townships is on hold, but state lawmakers could revive it and give voters the power to reduce their property tax bills.

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, local government consolidation, property taxes, townships

Lightfoot pushes Pritzker to ease restrictions as dining resumes in southern, central Illinois

By Brad Weisenstein

01/19/2021

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she wants Gov. J.B. Pritzker to give city residents more freedom to drink and dine out. Two other Illinois regions were just granted more liberty to do so.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot, restrictions

Belleville

Southwestern Illinois taxpayers hand airport $160M to keep it open

Report: Chicago Teachers Union is new Chicago political machine

Southern Illinois taxpayers spend $134.4M since 2002 to keep airport open

Southern Illinois taxpayers spend $124.5M since 2002 to keep airport open

$119.5M later, Southern Illinois taxpayers still trying to get airport off ground

Illinois gasoline taxes rise to No. 2 in nation

Exelon lobbyist pushes $14.4 million payday for Springfield lawmakers

Judge says taxpayers owe 2 Illinois senators who voted to reject raises

Too many government units means property taxes are too high in Illinois

Lightfoot pushes Pritzker to ease restrictions as dining resumes in southern, central Illinois

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

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