The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees claims to be seeking a “fair contract” on behalf of Illinois state workers. But the power and influence exerted by the state’s largest government-worker union means the bargaining table almost always tilts in AFSCME’s favor. The reality is that AFSCME is the power player in negotiations...

Illinois Department of Revenue: Progressive tax would lead to job losses, out-migration

By Michael Lucci

05/04/2016

The Illinois Department of Revenue has projected losses of 20,000 private-sector jobs, 43,000 residents to other states on net, and $1.9 billion in GDP in the first four years of a progressive tax.

TAGS: graduated income tax, progressive income tax

Illinois’ tax shell games means taxpayers can’t hold their governments accountable

By Craig Lesner

04/26/2016

In 2015 alone, Illinois state government redistributed more than $12 billion in income and other taxes to local governments. These financial shell games have created a needlessly complex system and make it difficult for local taxpayers to hold their governments accountable.

TAGS: LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, local government, PPRT: Personal Property Replacement Tax, taxes

Illinois state income taxes: Who really pays?

By Michael Lucci

04/18/2016

The top 18 percent of Illinois taxpayers cover more than 60 percent of the state’s income taxes, and the state’s millionaires pay 15 percent of Illinois’ income taxes.

TAGS: graduated income tax, income tax, progressive income tax

Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2016 budget address

By illinoispolicy

02/17/2016

Full transcript of Governor Bruce Rauner’s 2016 budget address, as prepared for delivery to the General Assembly on Feb. 17, 2016.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner

Illinois Department of Revenue

New bill would identify Illinois lawmakers who haven’t filed tax returns

Illinois is losing its core income tax base

What Illinoisans should know about their taxes

Education finance solutions

20 local governments raise sales tax in Illinois

AFSCME: The 800-pound gorilla at the negotiating table

Illinois Department of Revenue: Progressive tax would lead to job losses, out-migration

Illinois’ tax shell games means taxpayers can’t hold their governments accountable

Illinois state income taxes: Who really pays?

Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2016 budget address

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