New Bloomington city manager to outearn 49 U.S. governors

07/03/2018

Decatur City’s city manager is on his way to take the same post in Bloomington, and with it a raise that will push his income above 49 of the nation’s 50 governors.

TAGS: Bloomington, budget, Decatur, taxes

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

State Farm to slash nearly 900 IT jobs in Illinois

By Vincent Caruso

03/07/2018

The insurer will downsize its IT division in Bloomington while adding tech jobs in other states.

TAGS: Bloomington, jobs, unemployment

Wave of local tax and fee increases sweeping Illinois

By Brendan Bakala

10/16/2017

Cities and villages across the state are raising taxes or implementing new ones for a variety of functions, from attracting a fast-food restaurant to catching up on rising pension costs.

TAGS: Bloomington, consolidation, fees, local government, local government consolidation, municipal pensions, Naperville, New Lenox, Oswego, pensions, Peoria, property taxes, sales tax, taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing, Wheaton

Illinois’ jobs growth worse than every neighboring state

By Austin Berg, Kevin Angell

07/28/2017

Illinois’ jobs growth over the past year was 40 percent slower than the national average, and lagged even further behind the average of neighboring states.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Multibillion-dollar tax hikes will only exacerbate Illinois’ weak economic activity

By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner

04/13/2017

The latest report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shows Illinois experienced falling tax collections, indicating trouble in the state economy. Spending reforms – not tax hikes – are what Illinois needs to right its fiscal ship and boost economic growth.

TAGS: budget, COGFA: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, Dan McConchie, Kyle McCarter, Moody's Investor Service

Illinois politicians’ remedy for state flirting with recession? Multibillion-dollar tax hikes

By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner

02/08/2017

A new report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shows Illinois has experienced falling tax collections, which may indicate trouble in the state economy; spending reforms – not tax hikes – are what Illinois needs to right its fiscal ship and boost economic growth.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Christine Radogno, corporate income tax, income tax, John Cullerton, Medicaid, pensions, property taxes, sales tax, taxes

For many Illinoisans, the next recession is already here

By Austin Berg

01/31/2017

Illinois lost 11,000 manufacturing jobs in 2016.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing

New bill would even the playing field for third-party and independent candidates

By Brendan Bakala

01/23/2017

Senate Bill 63 would make signature requirements to get on the ballot uniform for all candidates.

TAGS: ballot, election, Kyle McCarter

The Illinois state senators who pledged not to raise taxes

By Brendan Bakala

01/20/2017

As pressure mounts on state senators and representatives to vote in favor of multibillion-dollar tax hikes, lawmakers should remember the promises they’ve made to taxpayers.

TAGS: Bill Brady, Christine Radogno, Dave Syverson, income tax, Jim Oberweis, John Cullerton, Kyle McCarter, Sue Rezin, taxes, Tim Bivins

Bloomington

New Bloomington city manager to outearn 49 U.S. governors

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

State Farm to slash nearly 900 IT jobs in Illinois

Wave of local tax and fee increases sweeping Illinois

Illinois’ jobs growth worse than every neighboring state

Multibillion-dollar tax hikes will only exacerbate Illinois’ weak economic activity

Illinois politicians’ remedy for state flirting with recession? Multibillion-dollar tax hikes

For many Illinoisans, the next recession is already here

New bill would even the playing field for third-party and independent candidates

The Illinois state senators who pledged not to raise taxes

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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