False promises, real harm: Why Illinoisans should reject a progressive income tax

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

03/26/2018

States with a progressive income tax see greater income inequality, and have seen income inequality rise faster than states without a progressive income tax.

Budget Solutions 2019: The responsible budget for Illinois

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

02/06/2018

Even after a 32 percent income tax hike, the Illinois General Assembly passed a state budget in 2017 that will generate an estimated $1.5 billion deficit in fiscal year 2018. That deficit is projected to grow to $2.15 billion in fiscal year 2019, according to the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, or GOMB. The...

Rising property tax burdens squeeze Illinois families

By Orphe Divounguy

01/06/2018

While effective property tax rates might be on the decline in some communities, census data show Illinois families are seeing a larger share of their household budgets eaten up by property tax bills.

Rigged: How Illinois’ labor laws stack the deck against taxpayers

By Mailee Smith

12/14/2017

If Illinois is going to compete with its neighbors – and keep people from moving out of the state – it must reduce the enormous property tax burden its families are forced to bear. Following the lead of surrounding states by enacting collective bargaining reforms is one good place to start.

5 examples of government union power over the people, and 2 solutions to fix the problem

By Mailee Smith

10/24/2017

While government worker unions have had a stranglehold on the people of Illinois for far too long, the state isn’t without hope. Illinois can follow the lead of other Midwestern states and enact labor reforms.

Illinois’ $21 billion in school debt pushes up property taxes

By Ted Dabrowski, Evelyn Hussey

07/11/2017

Illinois’ debt per student is the 11th highest of any state in the nation. It is almost 15 percent higher than the national average of $8,764.

Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate

By Michael Lucci

05/22/2017

Only 51 percent of black adults reported having some form of work in Illinois.

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

By Madelyn Harwood

05/17/2017

By fixing cost drivers, decreasing the cost of doing business in Illinois, and easing the tax burden, Illinois can encourage jobs growth and stand a better chance at attracting and retaining younger people.

Workers’ compensation estimated to cost Illinois taxpayers nearly $1 billion per year

By Michael Lucci

04/05/2017

Workers’ compensation is a significant cost to Illinois taxpayers and drains scarce tax dollars from government coffers. A previous report in this series estimated the direct cost of workers’ compensation to state, county and municipal governments is $402 million in worker payouts per year.1 Building upon those findings, this report estimates that the total cost of workers’ compensation to...

Education finance solutions

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/09/2017

Making Illinois’ system fairer through pension reform, consolidation and accountability to parents and students.

Chicago

False promises, real harm: Why Illinoisans should reject a progressive income tax

Budget Solutions 2019: The responsible budget for Illinois

Rising property tax burdens squeeze Illinois families

Rigged: How Illinois’ labor laws stack the deck against taxpayers

5 examples of government union power over the people, and 2 solutions to fix the problem

Illinois’ $21 billion in school debt pushes up property taxes

Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

Workers’ compensation estimated to cost Illinois taxpayers nearly $1 billion per year

Education finance solutions

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