Budget Solutions 2018: Balancing the state budget without tax hikes

By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner, John Klingner, Michael Lucci

01/31/2017

A set of structural reforms that protect taxpayers and put Illinois on the path to prosperity.

The cost of Illinois’ lawmakers

By John Klingner, Ted Dabrowski

07/26/2016

Illinois lawmakers pay themselves the fifth-highest annual lawmaker base salary in the country.

An Illinois workers’ compensation system for the 21st century

By Mark Adams

07/15/2016

The state of Illinois has one of the oldest workers’ compensation systems in America, dating to 1911.

Reforming Illinois’ nonviolent Class 4 felony statutes

By Lauren Krisai

05/11/2016

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.

Illinois lost 1 resident and $50,000 in taxable income every 7 minutes in 2013

By Michael Lucci

10/08/2015

Newly released IRS data show Illinois lost on net over 81,000 taxpayers and their dependents, and $4.1 billion of annual taxable income to other states in 2013.

Making Illinois smart on crime: First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

By Bryant Jackson-Green, Dianna Muldrow, Derek Cohen

08/06/2015

First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

Police body cameras, ban on chokeholds may be coming to Chicago soon

By Bryant Jackson-Green

12/12/2014

City officials don’t get very much right. But if public pressure makes them act to ensure greater police transparency and more protection of individual rights, we may have good reason to be optimistic.

TAGS: Chicago, police body cameras

Federal judge: Pensions not as protected as you think

By John Klingner

10/08/2014

Contrary to popular belief, government-worker pensions are not untouchable, at least according to the federal courts. The federal judge in charge of the bankruptcy proceedings of Stockton, California, has ruled that city-worker pension debt must be treated like any other form of debt and could be adjusted under federal bankruptcy law. The ruling is a...

Body cameras for police a win for citizens, officers and taxpayers

By Bryant Jackson-Green

09/23/2014

What’s a low-cost way to improve police accountability in Illinois while saving taxpayer dollars? Some say body cameras for police officers. After the events in Ferguson, MO, several editorials have encouraged Illinois police officers to wear body cameras as a way to deter misconduct, and some departments have already signed on to the idea. But...

TAGS: Chicago, police, police body cameras, police misconduct

California

Budget Solutions 2018: Balancing the state budget without tax hikes

The cost of Illinois’ lawmakers

An Illinois workers’ compensation system for the 21st century

Reforming Illinois’ nonviolent Class 4 felony statutes

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

Illinois lost 1 resident and $50,000 in taxable income every 7 minutes in 2013

Making Illinois smart on crime: First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

Police body cameras, ban on chokeholds may be coming to Chicago soon

Federal judge: Pensions not as protected as you think

Body cameras for police a win for citizens, officers and taxpayers

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