Chicago paid a premium on its recent bond offerings. Why? Default risk.

Where is the school district going to get $1.1 billion? The state? Think again.

Income-tax revenue represents just one-sixth of the $6.1 billion the state gives to local governments every year. Proposed reforms would leave untouched the vast majority of that money.

If taxpayers can get a bigger bang for their buck, they should get it.

Local governments must pare their budgets, forcing them to identify best practices they should have found already.

Illinois stands out in the Midwest for unaffordable housing – 34 percent of Illinois households spend more than 30 cents per dollar of income on housing, more than any other state in the region.