Failure: On the anniversary of Illinois’ 2017 tax hike

By Adam Schuster

07/03/2018

One year after a record-setting tax hike the state still can’t balance a budget, has done nothing to solve long-term fiscal problems and has further damaged its economic growth.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, income tax, jobs, Mike Madigan, spending cap, taxes

Tax hike to balance budget shortfall could cost Illinois’ economy 9,000 jobs

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

06/20/2018

Tying government spending to economic growth protects taxpayers from future tax hikes.

Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers

By Adam Schuster

06/14/2018

It is time to give taxpayers and businesses the certainty they need to plan a long-term future in the state.

Rhode Island city offers dire warning to Illinois municipalities struggling with pension debt

By Joe Tabor

06/06/2018

Central Falls, Rhode Island, filed for bankruptcy largely because of pension debt. If Illinois municipalities can’t meet or lower their pension obligations, they too could face fiscal collapse.

TAGS: bankruptcy, harvey, municipal pensions, pensions, spending

Taxpayers, reformers at a structural disadvantage in Illinois budgeting

By John Tillman

06/05/2018

Yes, the state has a budget. But how that budget came to be reveals the reasons our state continues to spend with abandon, tax too much and fail in fostering an economy where its people can prosper.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget

Rauner signs spending plan into law

By Adam Schuster

06/04/2018

While it’s the closest the state has come to passing a balanced budget in years, Illinois’ new spending plan leaves a lot to be desired for taxpayers.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, Bruce Rauner, budget, spending, spending cap

Budget gimmicks explained: Why the new Illinois spending plan is not balanced

By Adam Schuster

06/01/2018

Lawmakers claiming to have passed a balanced budget are relying on a number of common, but deceptive, budget maneuvers.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, pensions

Amid heavy ticketing, challenge to Chicago food truck regulations heads to Illinois Supreme Court

By Vincent Caruso

05/31/2018

Chicago’s regulatory roadblocks have derailed opportunity for the city’s food truck entrepreneurs. As a challenge to those restrictions reaches Illinois’ high court, the outcome of the case could be felt statewide.

TAGS: Chicago, CPD: Chicago Police Department, food trucks, Illinois Supreme Court, regulations

Illinois General Assembly passes state budget out of balance by as much as $1.5B

By Adam Schuster

05/31/2018

Lawmakers voted to approve the 1,245-page budget less than 24 hours after it was revealed to the public.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, Bruce Rauner, budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan

Illinois Senate passes Cullerton budget, out of balance by as much as $1.5B

By Adam Schuster

05/30/2018

State senators voted to approve the 1,245-page budget just hours after it was made public.

TAGS: budget, COGFA: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, GOMB: Governor's Office of Management and Budget, Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, Illinois Senate, John Cullerton

Constitution of Illinois

Failure: On the anniversary of Illinois’ 2017 tax hike

Tax hike to balance budget shortfall could cost Illinois’ economy 9,000 jobs

Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers

Rhode Island city offers dire warning to Illinois municipalities struggling with pension debt

Taxpayers, reformers at a structural disadvantage in Illinois budgeting

Rauner signs spending plan into law

Budget gimmicks explained: Why the new Illinois spending plan is not balanced

Amid heavy ticketing, challenge to Chicago food truck regulations heads to Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois General Assembly passes state budget out of balance by as much as $1.5B

Illinois Senate passes Cullerton budget, out of balance by as much as $1.5B

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