Report shows Illinois government pension crisis worst in U.S.

By LyLena Estabine

07/31/2025

Illinois has the nation’s worst public pension crisis. Nationwide analysis from the Equable Institute shows Illinois state pensions remain fiscally unstable and threaten retirees and taxpayers, underscoring the need for reform.

16 missed chances for state lawmakers to help out Illinoisans

By Joe Tabor

07/08/2025

Out of almost 7,000 bills filed, the Illinois General Assembly passed a little over 400. Some were good. Some were bad. Here are 16 bills that would have improved life in the state had they passed.

Illinois pensioners earn nearly $25K more retired than those working to support them

By Patrick Andriesen

06/26/2025

The average retired career state employee in Illinois was paid $93,558 in pension benefits last year. That’s $24,538 more than the average Illinoisan working to pay for those retirees.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, pensions, taxes

Illinois General Assembly passes 3 bills boosting government union power

By Mailee Smith

06/23/2025

Government unions already hold tremendous power over taxpayers in Illinois. Three bills heading to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk will give them even more power by violating worker privacy, thwarting taxpayer protections and blocking schools in emergencies.

TAGS: Amendment 1, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, labor

Illinois lawmakers pass almost 100 bills on final day

By Lilly Rossi, Joe Tabor

06/23/2025

Illinois General Assembly members raced the clock to pass legislation. Of the 416 bills sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk this session, 155 were passed in the final week and 96 of those were on the last day.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

Illinois lawmakers sue peers over last-minute, $55B budget vote

By Dylan Sharkey

06/06/2025

A group of Illinois lawmakers is suing their peers over the last-minute rush to OK a $55 billion state budget few people had seen – just like they do every year. The lawsuit aims to block the budget before Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs it in to law.

Here’s how Pritzker can stop bad bills out of Illinois General Assembly

By Joe Tabor

06/02/2025

With the Illinois state legislative session ended, bills will start crossing the governor’s desk, some containing tax hikes, unaffordable spending and needless regulation. Here’s how Gov. J.B. Pritzker can stop these bad policies from becoming law.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, property taxes, taxes

Illinois’ opaque budget process drives mismanagement, harms taxpayers

By Lauren Zuar

05/23/2025

Despite Illinois law setting clear budget rules, lawmakers routinely fast-track last-minute, backroom deals, keeping voters and other legislators in the dark.

Too much local government makes Illinois inefficient, raises property taxes

By Chris Coffey

05/21/2025

Illinois is the most inefficient state in the Midwest and the 14th-most inefficient in the country. That’s driven in part by excessive units of local government – more than in any other state. High property taxes are one result.

TAGS: local government consolidation

Illinois lawmakers get 26 seconds per page to read 2025 budget

By Patrick Andriesen

05/20/2025

Illinois state lawmakers must be super speed readers, because who would vote on something they hadn’t read? They were given an average of 67 seconds per page to read the past nine state budgets, but last year received only 26 seconds per page.

Constitution of Illinois

Report shows Illinois government pension crisis worst in U.S.

16 missed chances for state lawmakers to help out Illinoisans

Illinois pensioners earn nearly $25K more retired than those working to support them

Illinois General Assembly passes 3 bills boosting government union power

Illinois lawmakers pass almost 100 bills on final day

Illinois lawmakers sue peers over last-minute, $55B budget vote

Here’s how Pritzker can stop bad bills out of Illinois General Assembly

Illinois’ opaque budget process drives mismanagement, harms taxpayers

Too much local government makes Illinois inefficient, raises property taxes

Illinois lawmakers get 26 seconds per page to read 2025 budget

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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