Budget Solutions 2018: Balancing the state budget without tax hikes

By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner, John Klingner, Michael Lucci

01/31/2017

A set of structural reforms that protect taxpayers and put Illinois on the path to prosperity.

Instead of a tax hike, consolidate Illinois’ 7,000 units of local government

By Brendan Bakala

01/26/2017

As lawmakers consider massive tax hikes on Illinoisans, they should look to consolidate nearly 7,000 units of local government and to cut their high administrative costs.

TAGS: education, local government consolidation, property taxes

Senate budget proposal could make soda in Chicago the most expensive in the nation

01/20/2017

The new statewide sugary drink tax, on top of Cook County’s similar tax and Chicago’s highest-in-the-nation sales tax, would make soda prices in the city skyrocket.

TAGS: Chicago, John Cullerton, sales tax, soda tax, sugar tax, taxes, Toi Hutchinson

Illinois Senate proposes statewide tax on soda

By Brendan Bakala

01/18/2017

Running out of ideas, the Illinois Senate takes aim at poor people to fund record-high state spending.

TAGS: budget, sugar tax, taxes

Madigan makes history while Illinois’ middle class races toward extinction

By Austin Berg

01/12/2017

At the end of his term in 2019, Madigan will be the longest-serving House speaker of any state in modern U.S. history.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Madigan set to become longest-serving House speaker in modern U.S. history

By Austin Berg

01/11/2017

Chicago Democrat Mike Madigan will hold the speakership for a record 17th time.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan

Illinois companies announce 464 mass layoffs, mostly in Cook County

By Brendan Bakala

01/10/2017

Latest WARN report sees almost all mass layoff announcements come from Cook County.

TAGS: Chicago, jobs, unemployment, WARN

2016: Chicago’s year of the tax hike

12/31/2016

To address the city’s worsening financial crises, Chicago politicians turned up the dial on their usual answer to budgetary woes: raising taxes.

Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016

By Chris Lentino

12/27/2016

It’s no secret Chicago aldermen aren’t friendly to outsider businesses and innovative industries. Here’s a look at some of the most egregious examples from 2016.

TAGS: Airbnb, Chicago, collaborative economy, food trucks, homesharing, regulations, Uber

Defending the indefensible: IMRF director on pensions

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

12/25/2016

The head of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, or IMRF, has dismissed calls for pension reform, disregarding the fact that pensions aren’t manageable, benefits aren’t affordable, and previous “reforms” propped up pensions on the backs of new workers.

TAGS: IMRF: Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, municipal pensions, pensions

Cook County

Budget Solutions 2018: Balancing the state budget without tax hikes

Instead of a tax hike, consolidate Illinois’ 7,000 units of local government

Senate budget proposal could make soda in Chicago the most expensive in the nation

Illinois Senate proposes statewide tax on soda

Madigan makes history while Illinois’ middle class races toward extinction

Madigan set to become longest-serving House speaker in modern U.S. history

Illinois companies announce 464 mass layoffs, mostly in Cook County

2016: Chicago’s year of the tax hike

Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016

Defending the indefensible: IMRF director on pensions

Solutions for vacant lots would reduce crime and poverty in Chicago

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