Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills

By Patrick Andriesen

10/03/2025

Illinois taxpayers in 2024 owed an average of $38,800 each, ranking No. 3 in the U.S. Illinois earned an “F” for fiscal management.

Other major cities provide a roadmap for Chicago’s Inaugural City Charter Commission

By Joe Tabor, Rich Witzel

08/22/2025

The City of Chicago needs a city charter that will bring some certainty to city government. It should learn from the experiences of other cities when choosing the people who will draft that charter.

Illinois lawmakers churn through 31K pages of bills on last day of session

By Lilly Rossi

08/13/2025

Illinois General Assembly members filed 31,011 pages of amendments to bills in the last 24 hours of the 2025 regular session. Truly understanding what they were deciding would require reading 22 pages per minute.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

Illinois forms businesses at one of lowest rates in Midwest

By Bryce Hill

08/12/2025

Despite leading the region in businesses applying to open, Illinois’ combative business climate results in few business actually starting.

Chicago mayor wants to keep taxing groceries despite hit to families

By Ravi Mishra

08/08/2025

As food costs soar, Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to keep hurting Chicago’s working families with a grocery tax. He faces a $1.12 billion deficit that a $73 million grocery tax won’t budge.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

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

Constitution of Illinois

Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills

Other major cities provide a roadmap for Chicago’s Inaugural City Charter Commission

Illinois lawmakers churn through 31K pages of bills on last day of session

Illinois forms businesses at one of lowest rates in Midwest

Chicago mayor wants to keep taxing groceries despite hit to families

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 Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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