While progressive tax proponents champion their “tax on the rich,” middle-income families in Decatur could see a tax hike under the income tax models praised by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

TAGS: Decatur, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes

56 Illinois state lawmakers have refused to take a pension

02/08/2019

Illinois’ 101st General Assembly can be leaders in pension reform by passing a constitutional amendment that allows for changes to future, unearned benefits.

TAGS: 401(k), GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, lawmaker pay, pension guarantee, pensions, taxes

These Illinois Halloween laws might scare you

By Austin Berg

10/18/2018

Scraping through a few hundred municipal codes in Illinois didn’t turn up any trick-or-treat ordinances allowing for jail time. But fines associated with age limits, curfews, masks and more were aplenty.

TAGS: Belleville, criminal justice reform, Decatur, overcriminalization

Pension costs ravaging Rockford’s budget as leaders consider police and fire cuts

By Vincent Caruso

10/15/2018

Rising pension costs in Illinois’ fifth-largest city are pushing Rockford near the edge of a fiscal cliff – a fate that officials are looking to reverse with a series of steep public service cuts.

TAGS: budget, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, Rockford, taxes

53 representatives sign on to letter opposing progressive tax

By Chris Lentino

09/06/2018

Taxpayers across Illinois oppose a progressive tax but many state lawmakers still refuse to stand up against House Speaker Mike Madigan’s progressive tax push.

TAGS: graduated income tax, income tax, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, taxes

New Bloomington city manager to outearn 49 U.S. governors

07/03/2018

Decatur City’s city manager is on his way to take the same post in Bloomington, and with it a raise that will push his income above 49 of the nation’s 50 governors.

TAGS: Bloomington, budget, Decatur, taxes

Decatur

Springfield area residents pay some of the nation’s highest property tax rates

Wake-up call: Illinois shrinkage makes history

All Illinois metro areas saw population shrink in 2018

Poll: Illinois voters in key House districts oppose Pritzker’s income tax plan

Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Decatur family by up to $274

56 Illinois state lawmakers have refused to take a pension

These Illinois Halloween laws might scare you

Pension costs ravaging Rockford’s budget as leaders consider police and fire cuts

53 representatives sign on to letter opposing progressive tax

New Bloomington city manager to outearn 49 U.S. governors

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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