Illinoisans saw jobs growth plummet after 2017 tax hike

By Orphe Divounguy, Austin Berg, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

01/22/2018

Illinois' jobs growth trailed that of the nation during the first half of 2017, then slowed to a halt in the wake of the General Assembly's record-breaking tax hike.

TAGS: income tax, jobs, property taxes, taxes, unemployment

House Democrats file bill to repeal Cook County soda tax

By Brendan Bakala

08/16/2017

House Bill 4083 is the second bill in the Illinois General Assembly to propose getting rid of Cook County’s unpopular soda tax.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, soda tax

‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M

03/22/2017

Proposed legislation to commemorate former President Barack Obama’s birthday as a state holiday in Illinois would have cost taxpayers nearly $20 million in state personnel expenses and lost productivity.

TAGS: Barack Obama, Deb Conroy, Fred Crespo, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Martin Moylan, Michelle Mussman, Stephanie Kifowit, Sue Scherer

Illinois politicians vote to divert $300M from state coffers to fuel local spending

By Amy Korte

03/16/2017

Despite Illinois’ billions in deficit spending and skyrocketing debt, the Illinois House of Representatives passed House Bill 278, which would transfer an additional $300 million per year of state income tax funds to local governments, continuing to prop up local overspending that fuels high property taxes.

TAGS: Illinois House of Representatives, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, property 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

The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan

By Austin Berg

10/07/2016

Just as Illinoisans elect state representatives, state representatives elect the speaker of the House every two years. To become the speaker, Madigan just needs a majority vote.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan

Institute in State Journal-Register: State employee contract terms should be public

03/31/2013

As we try to evaluate the deal that Gov. Pat Quinn reached with state employees, we have plenty of reasons to be skeptical about Quinns claim that health care changes in the contract will save the state $900 million

Collective bargaining transparency bill HB 2689 shot down in House Committee

By Paul Kersey

03/14/2013

Yesterday a bill that would allow the public to see union contracts and comment on them before they are signed stalled in committee, becoming yet another victim of pressure from union officials who want to keep the public in the dark about the deals they make. The bill actually had both supporters and opponents from...

Voucher Update: How Did Your Representative Vote?

05/07/2010

Did your legislator stand up for the kids? Or did they stand with the union lobbyists?

Fred Crespo

Illinoisans saw jobs growth plummet after 2017 tax hike

House Democrats file bill to repeal Cook County soda tax

‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M

Illinois politicians vote to divert $300M from state coffers to fuel local spending

Madigan makes history while Illinois’ middle class races toward extinction

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

The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan

Institute in State Journal-Register: State employee contract terms should be public

Collective bargaining transparency bill HB 2689 shot down in House Committee

Voucher Update: How Did Your Representative Vote?

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