Renewing the state pension buyout for two years means flexibility for retirees and savings for the state.

They are signaling a willingness to raise taxes as the May 31 deadline quickly approaches.

Chicago Public Schools borrowed over $1.8 billion amid a delay in last year’s Cook County bills, adding interest costs and exposing the fragility of the district’s finances.

Lawmakers too often decide what to spend without an accurate picture of what will come in.

Lawmakers make costly decisions without understanding the economic impact.

Bucking the practice of recent years, lawmakers introduced the proposed budget more than three weeks before the May 31 end of the session.

The amount of state and local taxes paid here also is near the nation’s highest.

Revamping how the state decides on spending would improve responsibility and transparency.

The governor has presided over $77 billion in increases while Illinois’ economic growth lags.