The Problem Illinois faces $6 billion in unpaid bills with an unemployment rate over 11 percent—the highest in 27 years. The state pension system is underfunded by $80 billion, and the state’s bond rating ranks second lowest in the country. In response, Governor Pat Quinn’s proposed fiscal year 2011 budget would raise income taxes by...

by Will Compernolle In fiscal year 2007, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity gave a $25,000 grant (#07-203098) to the Chicago Park District “for renovations to the historic spray pool at Athletic Field Parklocated at 3546 West Addison in Chicago.” The DCEO’s grant tracker explains the grant is part of a larger grant program “for specific...

by Amanda Griffin-Johnson The Associated Press reports that the federal government’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) “wasted more than $100 million paying the electric bills of thousands of applicants who were dead, in prison or living in million-dollar mansions.” LIHEAP is designed to help low-income families pay their electric bills, but there was “little oversight of...

by Will Compernolle Artist Tony Tasset’s three-stories-tall eyeball at State and Van Buren in Chicago, simply titled “EYE,” has gotten mixed reviews from bystanders waiting for its official unveiling on July 7th. But almost more noteworthy than a giant eyeball in the middle of the city is the fact that, according to CNN, EYE cost taxpayers...

by Kate Piercy Because of “improper spending and oversight of TIFs,” Inspector General Joe Ferguson has concluded the City of Chicago lost Chicago taxpayers “$1.2 million in funds generated by the now-defunct Central Loop tax-increment-financing district — and spent $329,000 for ineligible art work,” according to a Sun-Times report. Ferguson audited of “more than four years worth...

by Kate Piercy According to the State Journal-Register, five key employees of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) have combined to spend more than $300,000 on travel since fiscal year 2005. In addition, the agency has spent $1.2 million to $1.32 million on travel overall in each of those years. Apparently, a good portion of...