Like so many Illinoisans working in a stagnant state economy, state lawmakers will not receive pay raises this year. But House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton will still receive bonuses in excess of $25,000.

State leaders took an oath to uphold the Illinois Constitution. But they show deference to the document only as it suits them.

A last-ditch attempt at a temporary budget represented the same untenable spending pattern that taxpayers cannot afford.

For years Illinois politicians have used borrowing and budgeting gimmicks to give the false appearance of balanced budget.

Flooding Springfield’s coffers with new money is a tried-and-failed approach.

Money flowing to Illinois’ state and local governments grew much faster than the average Illinoisans’ paycheck from 1969-2012.