Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois

By Perry Zhao

08/25/2021

State revenue losses around the country have ranged from far less than expected to non-existent. Fiscally healthy states are giving back to taxpayers. That doesn’t include Illinois.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, taxes

Illinois cell phone taxes highest in nation

11/21/2020

Nearly one-third of the cell phone bills in Illinois are taxes

TAGS: cell phone tax, wireless tax

Corruption costs Illinois an estimated $556M per year

By Bryce Hill

08/25/2020

Illinois’ high levels of corruption damage the state’s economy, costing it $10.6 billion since 2000. States with higher levels of corruption average lower levels of economic growth.

TAGS: corruption, economic growth, ethics, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, tax burden

In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Springfield has essential work to do

By Austin Berg

06/05/2020

Illinois lawmakers cannot afford to delay action in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

TAGS: BLM: Black Lives Matter, criminal justice reform, Curtis Tarver, Don Harmon, George Floyd, JB Pritzker, Justin Slaughter, Kam Buckner, labor, Lamont Robinson, Maurice West, Mike Madigan, police, police misconduct

COVID-19 potentially impacting one-fourth of Illinois workers

By Bryce Hill

04/07/2020

Business sectors directly affected by the coronavirus and mitigation employ 1.5 million Illinoisans. The longer the shutdown, the more industries and jobs face cuts.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, coronavirus, COVID-19, economic growth, labor force participation rate

Before COVID-19 downturn, Illinois saw shrinking payrolls and nation’s worst loss of manufacturing jobs

By Bryce Hill

03/31/2020

New data show Illinois lost private sector jobs amid a national economic expansion for the first year on record in 2019, a sign of the state’s deep structural problems in the run-up to the current market downturn.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, coronavirus, COVID-19, economic growth, employment, jobs, labor force participation rate, unemployment

Federal agents looking for Madigan documents in ComEd probe

By Austin Berg

10/24/2019

As previously undisclosed subpoena adds another angle to federal agents’ activity surrounding the longtime House speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

TAGS: City Club of Chicago, ComEd, corruption, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jay Doherty, JB Pritzker, Kevin Quinn, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

Illinois one of 11 states that lets departing lawmakers immediately become lobbyists

08/13/2019

“Revolving door” laws are intended to stop state lawmakers from getting private jobs after granting political favors. Illinois is one of the few states that does little to curb the practice.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, Lisa Madigan, lobbying, Lori Lightfoot, revolving door

‘Fair tax’ backers’ own data show progressive income tax hikes harm middle class the most

By Vincent Caruso

05/10/2019

An advocacy group backing Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” plan has argued a progressive income tax hike won’t affect middle-class Illinoisans. But its most recent report shows a middle-class tax hit is likely.

TAGS: CTBA: Center for Budget and Tax Accountability, fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes

To end gerrymandering, Pritzker should push redistricting reform

By Joe Tabor

04/23/2019

Illinois’ governor pledged to veto any map gerrymandered by state lawmakers, but it’s the process of mapmaking that needs to change.

TAGS: fair maps, independent maps, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, redistricting

Idaho

Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois

Illinois cell phone taxes highest in nation

Corruption costs Illinois an estimated $556M per year

In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Springfield has essential work to do

COVID-19 potentially impacting one-fourth of Illinois workers

Before COVID-19 downturn, Illinois saw shrinking payrolls and nation’s worst loss of manufacturing jobs

Federal agents looking for Madigan documents in ComEd probe

Illinois one of 11 states that lets departing lawmakers immediately become lobbyists

‘Fair tax’ backers’ own data show progressive income tax hikes harm middle class the most

To end gerrymandering, Pritzker should push redistricting reform

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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