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

Illinois politicians play chicken with taxpayers over budget

06/14/2015

House Speaker Mike Madigan wants tax hikes before any reforms pass. Of course, if there are tax hikes, there will not be reform.

TAGS: budget, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan

Killing Illiana: Closing the road to nowhere a win for Illinois

By Austin Berg

06/10/2015

Why the nightmare named Illiana should be scrapped once and for all.

TAGS: Illiana Expressway, transportation

‘Bond Girl’ on Chicago and the quality of credit analysis in the municipal bond market

05/29/2015

The insight in Culpepper’s report is detailed and damning.

TAGS: Chicago

Egan-Jones on Chicago, S&P blames Moody’s and a message to bondholders

05/22/2015

Taxpayers need protection when municipalities go bust.

TAGS: Chicago

Corruption Watch: April 2015

By Shawn Tonge

05/08/2015

April saw two major players in Illinois education ensnared in charges of cronyism, among more than 60 other corruption-related stories.

TAGS: good government

WARN report: Taxpayers foot the bill for layoffs

By Austin Berg

05/07/2015

Nearly a third of Illinois layoffs reported in April came from a taxpayer-subsidized move.

TAGS: jobs

Closing imaginary loopholes in Illinois’ public-records law

By David Giuliani

04/24/2015

While the Freedom of Information Act is abundantly clear, secrecy-obsessed bureaucrats often claim exemption.

TAGS: College of DuPage, FOIA: Freedom of Information Act

Illinois moves to ban red-light cameras statewide

By Hilary Gowins

04/23/2015

Ideally, the state wouldn’t have to get involved, and local governments would act in the best interests of taxpayers. But the latter isn’t happening.

TAGS: ban

Chicago Tribune

Yes, Illinois still bans fireworks

Illinois’ warped welfare system traps families in poverty

Illinois politicians play chicken with taxpayers over budget

Killing Illiana: Closing the road to nowhere a win for Illinois

‘Bond Girl’ on Chicago and the quality of credit analysis in the municipal bond market

Egan-Jones on Chicago, S&P blames Moody’s and a message to bondholders

Corruption Watch: April 2015

WARN report: Taxpayers foot the bill for layoffs

Closing imaginary loopholes in Illinois’ public-records law

Illinois moves to ban red-light cameras statewide

7 things to know about public charter school laws in Illinois

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