Why are Illinois Democrats preparing to bail out bankers and cash-strapped local governments?

By Michael Lucci

04/03/2017

Bailout bills moving in the Illinois General Assembly would attempt to turn Illinois’ massive debt problems into guaranteed profits for banks and bondholders and a lower standard of living for other Illinoisans.

TAGS: bonds, budget, CTA: Chicago Transit Authority, general obligation bonds, grand bargain, John Cullerton, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, property taxes, RTA: Regional Transportation Authority

House resolution would oppose Illinois Senate’s internet streaming tax

03/29/2017

Legislation with bipartisan support in the House would oppose the internet streaming tax proposal – which might not even be legal – in the Senate’s “grand bargain.”

TAGS: David McSweeney, grand bargain, Illinois Senate, taxes

‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M

03/22/2017

Proposed legislation to commemorate former President Barack Obama’s birthday as a state holiday in Illinois would have cost taxpayers nearly $20 million in state personnel expenses and lost productivity.

TAGS: Barack Obama, Deb Conroy, Fred Crespo, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Martin Moylan, Michelle Mussman, Stephanie Kifowit, Sue Scherer

Illinois senator pitches expanding sales tax to tattoos, manicures and pedicures, more

By Hilary Gowins

03/03/2017

In the wake of the “grand bargain” budget plan failure, an Illinois politician has proposed applying the 6.25 percent state sales tax to a broad range of services.

TAGS: budget, Illinois Senate, service tax, taxes, Toi Hutchinson

Senate budget proposal could make soda in Chicago the most expensive in the nation

01/20/2017

The new statewide sugary drink tax, on top of Cook County’s similar tax and Chicago’s highest-in-the-nation sales tax, would make soda prices in the city skyrocket.

TAGS: Chicago, John Cullerton, sales tax, soda tax, sugar tax, taxes, Toi Hutchinson

Illinois Senate proposes statewide tax on soda

By Brendan Bakala

01/18/2017

Running out of ideas, the Illinois Senate takes aim at poor people to fund record-high state spending.

TAGS: budget, sugar tax, taxes

Chicago alderman wants to limit trick-or-treating due to creepy clowns

By Brendan Bakala

10/07/2016

Despite the city’s impending teachers strike, unaffordable pension debt and declining population, a Chicago alderman warns against late night trick-or-treating for fear of clowns.

TAGS: Chicago, regulations

The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan

By Austin Berg

10/07/2016

Just as Illinoisans elect state representatives, state representatives elect the speaker of the House every two years. To become the speaker, Madigan just needs a majority vote.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan

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.

Chicago students receive more state funding than the average Illinois student

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

04/07/2016

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool has claimed that Chicago students are discriminated against under the state's education funding formula. But the numbers show the opposite: Chicago has received more than its fair share of education funding from the state.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Heights

Why are Illinois Democrats preparing to bail out bankers and cash-strapped local governments?

House resolution would oppose Illinois Senate’s internet streaming tax

‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M

Illinois senator pitches expanding sales tax to tattoos, manicures and pedicures, more

Senate budget proposal could make soda in Chicago the most expensive in the nation

Illinois Senate proposes statewide tax on soda

Chicago alderman wants to limit trick-or-treating due to creepy clowns

The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan

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

Chicago students receive more state funding than the average Illinois student

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

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students