Chicago issued over 1,836 red-light camera tickets per day in last 4 years

By Hilary Gowins

08/18/2015

Chicago’s red-light cameras are merely a way for the city to extract more money from drivers; they have nothing to do with public safety.

Driverless trains: Why does Chicago lag behind London?

08/17/2015

Driverless trains and buses could dramatically reduce the cost of Chicago’s expensive public transportation system, resulting in much-needed savings for taxpayers.

Union arbitration bill would hurt Illinois taxpayers

By Jim Long

08/16/2015

If state politicians override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of SB 1229, they would remove even more state spending from taxpayer oversight.

Illinois DCEO gives Amazon tax credits worth $10 million

By Hilary Gowins

08/12/2015

With special tax breaks for Amazon, Illinois resorts to sweetheart deals to overcome the effects of the state’s anti-growth policies, leaving smaller businesses to shoulder the full tax and regulatory burden.

TAGS: DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, tax credits

Madigan files, passes bill to nix lawmaker pay raises after blocking similar bill for weeks

By Austin Berg

07/28/2015

Amid the eighth week without a state budget, Illinois political gamesmanship rages on.

TAGS: budget, lawmaker pay

Chicago now home to the nation’s highest sales tax

By Hilary Gowins

07/15/2015

Buying local just got a lot less appealing for Chicagoans. The city reclaimed the highest sales-tax rate of any major city in the nation on July 15, when the Cook County Board, which oversees Illinois’ largest city, voted to raise its portion of the sales tax, bringing Chicago’s combined rate to 10.25 percent from 9.25...

TAGS: Chicago, sales tax

Tamales y temor: The world of Chicago’s shadow chefs

By Austin Berg

07/15/2015

An ordinance that would immediately allow thousands of food-cart street vendors the freedom to serve their communities sits before Emanuel’s City Council, and along with it the potential for explosive growth in the industry.

Growth through tax hikes? Illinois tried it – and failed

By Ted Dabrowski

07/09/2015

Arguing that tax hikes are a precursor to growth and a flood of new residents is simply backward.

TAGS: budget, cloud tax, income tax, sales tax

Yes, Illinois still bans fireworks

By Austin Berg

07/02/2015

The Land of Lincoln is one of only seven states to impose harsh restrictions on the sale and possession of fireworks.

TAGS: fireworks ban

Illinois’ warped welfare system traps families in poverty

By Austin Berg

06/20/2015

A new report from the Illinois Policy Institute details an insidious poverty trap created by the “welfare cliff.”

TAGS: poverty, welfare

Chicago Tribune

Chicago issued over 1,836 red-light camera tickets per day in last 4 years

Driverless trains: Why does Chicago lag behind London?

Union arbitration bill would hurt Illinois taxpayers

Illinois DCEO gives Amazon tax credits worth $10 million

Madigan files, passes bill to nix lawmaker pay raises after blocking similar bill for weeks

Chicago now home to the nation’s highest sales tax

Tamales y temor: The world of Chicago’s shadow chefs

Growth through tax hikes? Illinois tried it – and failed

Yes, Illinois still bans fireworks

Illinois’ warped welfare system traps families in poverty

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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