Illinoisans can read a budget before it passes for the first time in at least 10 years

By Lilly Rossi

05/19/2026

Bucking the practice of recent years, lawmakers introduced the proposed budget more than three weeks before the May 31 end of the session.

Illinois budget process needs reform

By Ravi Mishra

05/12/2026

Revamping how the state decides on spending would improve responsibility and transparency.

Proposed amendment does nothing to curb gerrymandering in Illinois

By Joe Tabor

04/29/2026

If state House Democrats were serious about protecting our votes, they would require competitive elections and remove politicians from the process.

In Cook County, 75% of police, fire property taxes go to pensions

By LyLena Estabine

03/20/2026

Outside Chicago, only a fourth of municipal property taxes collected this year for police and fire are going to services.

Springfield proposals pushing income tax plan voters already rejected

By Bryce Hill

03/03/2026

Illinois voters rejected a graduated income tax in 2020. State politicians are trying again.

Illinois politicians still want boosted tax power

By Joe Tabor

02/03/2026

The Illinois Constitution stops politicians from imposing progressive taxation, which would give them power to progressively tax everyone more.

TAGS: progressive tax

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

By LyLena Estabine

01/13/2026

Causes, costs, how to set the state free

1-in-5 city tax dollars go to Illinois police, fire pensions

By LyLena Estabine

12/30/2025

Outside of Chicago, municipal property taxes across Illinois are being consumed by police and fire pensions, leaving fewer resources for public safety.

Illinois Supreme Court asked to hear constitutional challenge case

12/22/2025

The Illinois Supreme Court has been asked to hear a lawsuit challenging where citizens can file constitutional challenges to state laws.

Cook County property taxes funding pensions more than service

By LyLena Estabine

12/15/2025

Cook County homeowners face rising property taxes. Three-fourths of that money is going to police and fire pensions instead of services.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, pensions, property taxes

Constitution of Illinois

Illinoisans can read a budget before it passes for the first time in at least 10 years

Illinois budget process needs reform

Proposed amendment does nothing to curb gerrymandering in Illinois

In Cook County, 75% of police, fire property taxes go to pensions

Springfield proposals pushing income tax plan voters already rejected

Illinois politicians still want boosted tax power

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

1-in-5 city tax dollars go to Illinois police, fire pensions

Illinois Supreme Court asked to hear constitutional challenge case

Cook County property taxes funding pensions more than service

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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