Libertarians sue to lift Illinois’ ban on campaign giving by medical marijuana industry

By Mark Fitton

11/24/2015

Plaintiffs ask the court to find the campaign contribution ban unconstitutional and forbid its enforcement.

Dear Illinois Supreme Court: 8 things to know about Chicago’s pension-reform law

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/19/2015

Regardless of the outcome of the case, the burden Chicagoans face from the government-worker pension crisis won’t be going away any time soon.

TAGS: Chicago, municipal pensions, pensions

7 pension reforms that Illinois can still enact despite the SB1 ruling

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/06/2015

Although the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that altering pension benefits of current government workers violates the Illinois Constitution, there are still actions – from politicians voluntarily reforming their own pension system, to allowing municipal bankruptcy – that Illinois can take to set government-worker pensions on a more fiscally sound path.

TAGS: 401(k), pensions

Coming up short: What if Illinois’ pension funds miss their investment targets?

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/02/2015

Without real reforms, low investment yearly returns of 4 to 6 percent over the next 28 years could cost Illinois taxpayers anywhere from $100 billion to $200 billion above what they’re already expected to pay in contributions.

Parks and wrecked: City’s reform of Chicago Park District’s pension fund challenged

By John Klingner

08/20/2015

A challenge from the SEIU is looking to set back the city’s attempt to stave off the Chicago Park District's pension-fund insolvency.

TAGS: Chicago Park District

Fatal conceit: The truth about Illinois’ government-run pension systems

By Darlene Senger

07/31/2015

Politicians have proven incapable of making the decisions required to maintain the health of Illinois’ pension systems, as they lack the knowledge and actuarial understanding to do so.

TAGS: 401(k)

Rauner vetoes will stand, Madigan’s unconstitutional budget dies today

By Heather Weiner

07/30/2015

To craft a balanced budget, lawmakers must go back to the drawing board.

Judges split on state-worker pay in absence of balanced budget

By Jeffrey Schwab

07/19/2015

UPDATED JULY 19: It’s almost inevitable that the state will violate either the Fair Labor Standards Act or the Illinois Constitution

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, David McSweeney, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Supreme Court, John Cullerton, Lisa Madigan, Mike Madigan

In budget battle, Illinois leaders should respect the Constitution

07/02/2015

State leaders took an oath to uphold the Illinois Constitution. But they show deference to the document only as it suits them.

TAGS: budget

Failed $2.2 billion temporary budget was unbalanced, more of the same for Illinois, according to GOMB

By Jonelle Lesniak

07/01/2015

A last-ditch attempt at a temporary budget represented the same untenable spending pattern that taxpayers cannot afford.

TAGS: budget

Constitution of Illinois

Libertarians sue to lift Illinois’ ban on campaign giving by medical marijuana industry

Dear Illinois Supreme Court: 8 things to know about Chicago’s pension-reform law

7 pension reforms that Illinois can still enact despite the SB1 ruling

Coming up short: What if Illinois’ pension funds miss their investment targets?

Parks and wrecked: City’s reform of Chicago Park District’s pension fund challenged

Fatal conceit: The truth about Illinois’ government-run pension systems

Rauner vetoes will stand, Madigan’s unconstitutional budget dies today

Judges split on state-worker pay in absence of balanced budget

In budget battle, Illinois leaders should respect the Constitution

Failed $2.2 billion temporary budget was unbalanced, more of the same for Illinois, according to GOMB

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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