Illinois comptroller issues self, lawmakers paychecks despite appeal of circuit court’s ruling

By Greg Bishop

04/12/2017

Rank-and-file lawmakers have received paychecks of more than $50,800.

TAGS: Christine Radogno, Jim Durkin, John Cullerton, lawmaker pay, Leslie Munger, Lisa Madigan, Mike Madigan, Susana Mendoza

Workers’ compensation estimated to cost Illinois taxpayers nearly $1 billion per year

By Michael Lucci

04/05/2017

Workers’ compensation is a significant cost to Illinois taxpayers and drains scarce tax dollars from government coffers. A previous report in this series estimated the direct cost of workers’ compensation to state, county and municipal governments is $402 million in worker payouts per year.1 Building upon those findings, this report estimates that the total cost of workers’ compensation to...

Unpaid sick leave spikes Illinois teachers’ pension benefits

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/08/2017

While sick leave is necessary for working teachers, letting unpaid sick leave accumulate for the purpose of boosting pensions is an expensive perk that taxpayers cannot afford.

Rauner memo: Use TIF funds to save Chicago Public Schools

By Chris Lentino

03/06/2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner has suggested funding CPS with tax increment financing, or TIF, funds; this would temporarily bail out the district, but more needs to be done to address serious concerns about Chicago’s TIF program.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Christine Radogno, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, grand bargain, Illinois Senate, John Cullerton, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Education finance solutions

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/09/2017

Making Illinois’ system fairer through pension reform, consolidation and accountability to parents and students.

Why a fair, balanced budget takes political courage

By Austin Berg

02/09/2017

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle grow more and more powerful as the size of state and local government increases.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, unions

Madigan’s millions: How the speaker sells his sway

By Austin Berg

02/08/2017

The speaker’s law firm makes millions in the clout-heavy game of Cook County property tax appeals.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, property taxes

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.

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

By Joe Tabor, Ted Dabrowski

01/04/2017

The little-known legislative rules that govern the legislative process in the Illinois House of Representatives give the House speaker extraordinary power to orchestrate the legislative or political outcomes he or she wants. Those rules allow the speaker to influence the makeup of legislative committees; how lawmakers vote; and when, if ever, the bills get voted...

Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house

By Brendan Bakala

12/05/2016

Real reform to help overtaxed Illinoisans – such as a property-tax cap and aggressive government consolidation – would be the gift that keeps giving the whole year round.

TAGS: property taxes

Freedom of Information Act

Illinois comptroller issues self, lawmakers paychecks despite appeal of circuit court’s ruling

Workers’ compensation estimated to cost Illinois taxpayers nearly $1 billion per year

Unpaid sick leave spikes Illinois teachers’ pension benefits

Rauner memo: Use TIF funds to save Chicago Public Schools

Education finance solutions

Why a fair, balanced budget takes political courage

Madigan’s millions: How the speaker sells his sway

Budget Solutions 2018: Balancing the state budget without tax hikes

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house

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