If Illinois passes progressive income tax, retirement tax comes next

By Austin Berg

07/03/2020

Passing the progressive tax would empower state lawmakers to go after seniors’ retirement income.

TAGS: fair tax, retirement tax

Every state with a progressive tax also taxes retirement income

07/02/2020

Illinois could be the next state to tax retirement income if voters approve the progressive income tax in November.

TAGS: progressive tax, retirement tax

As many as 21,700 restaurants could close permanently from COVID-19 economic fallout

By Bryce Hill

07/02/2020

The most optimistic forecast shows 20% of Illinois’ food service business closures will be permanent. But up to 85% of restaurants expect to close permanently.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, small business

Illinois tops neighboring states with $10 minimum wage on July 1

06/29/2020

Illinois’ second minimum wage increase this year is part of a plan to hit $15 an hour in 2025. Small businesses face tough decisions on cutting staff or raising prices.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, minimum wage, recession

Illinois ranks second-last when it comes to reopening bars and restaurants

06/25/2020

A study from WalletHub ranks Illinois 50th-most severe on COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants. 233,500 jobs were lost in that sector since February.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, reopen, stay at home order

Illinois treasurer says ‘fair tax’ makes retirement tax more likely

By Adam Schuster

06/24/2020

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said a progressive state income tax will open the door to taxing retirement income.

TAGS: pensions, progressive income tax, retirement tax

Illinois Supreme Court denies Chicago police union request to destroy misconduct records

By Mailee Smith

06/19/2020

While Illinois law explicitly states union contracts trump all other state laws, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled a police contract allowing the destruction of disciplinarily records defies public policy and cannot be enforced.

TAGS: CPD: Chicago Police Department, Illinois Supreme Court, police misconduct, police union

Investigation shows Madigan had heavy hand in filling state jobs for Pritzker

By Austin Berg

06/19/2020

Illinois public servants expect special privileges. And Gov. J.B. Pritzker is happy to oblige.

TAGS: corruption, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan

62 former state lawmakers receiving more than $100K pensions

06/05/2020

Illinois’ broken pension system puts $100,000 a year or more into the hands of 62 former state lawmakers. It has paid more than $1 million to 94 of them.

TAGS: Arthur L. Berman, Barbara Flynn Currie, GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, Jim Edgar, lawmaker pay, Lou Lang, Pat Quinn, pensions

In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Springfield has essential work to do

By Austin Berg

06/05/2020

Illinois lawmakers cannot afford to delay action in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

TAGS: BLM: Black Lives Matter, criminal justice reform, Curtis Tarver, Don Harmon, George Floyd, JB Pritzker, Justin Slaughter, Kam Buckner, labor, Lamont Robinson, Maurice West, Mike Madigan, police, police misconduct

Chicago

If Illinois passes progressive income tax, retirement tax comes next

Every state with a progressive tax also taxes retirement income

As many as 21,700 restaurants could close permanently from COVID-19 economic fallout

Illinois tops neighboring states with $10 minimum wage on July 1

Illinois ranks second-last when it comes to reopening bars and restaurants

Illinois treasurer says ‘fair tax’ makes retirement tax more likely

Illinois Supreme Court denies Chicago police union request to destroy misconduct records

Investigation shows Madigan had heavy hand in filling state jobs for Pritzker

62 former state lawmakers receiving more than $100K pensions

In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Springfield has essential work to do

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