A new study from The Pew Charitable Trusts shows that Illinois’ tax revenues are up by 20 percent over their pre-Great Recession peak, debunking the oft-repeated mantra that Illinois is just one more tax hike away from solving its fiscal problems.

Flawed property valuations and the process required to fix them are a cash cow for law firms, including those of House Speaker Mike Madigan, Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton.

“Pay to play” might take on a whole new meaning in Chicago.

Too bad it doesn’t solve any real problems.

Chicagoans know new revenues won’t be used to pay for better roads, classrooms or public safety – these tax hikes won’t even fix what’s ailing the city’s bottom line.