Missed opportunity: Irresponsible budgeting costs Illinois nearly $27 billion

By FJ Hilgart

02/28/2025

Illinois had a prime opportunity with increased revenues and COVID relief funds to balance the budget. Instead, the government spent it all and now faces an even larger shortfall.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Pritzker’s $1.5B in wishful thinking might leave taxpayers poorer

By Patrick Andriesen

02/26/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s record $55.2 billion budget for 2026 relies on more than $1.55 billion in newly increased revenue estimates to cover cost. That optimism collides with state agencies’ and experts’ sober predictions, meaning taxpayers are again at risk?

State lawmakers want to spike Illinois’ public pension benefits by $60B

By LyLena Estabine

02/19/2025

Pension experts projected state lawmakers’ plans to drastically expand benefits for newer employees would add $60 billion to the state’s pension liability. Illinois is already $143.7 billion in the pension hole.

Illinois Democrats again attack parents’ rights to choose best education for their children

By Hannah Schmid

02/18/2025

Democratic state lawmakers are making another attack on parents’ rights and educational choice in Illinois. A bill would require homeschooling parents to file annual reports to avoid truancy charges, be credentialed and have their curriculum reviewed.

Bill introduced to again try for progressive income tax in Illinois

By Bryce Hill

02/17/2025

The Illinois Constitution currently requires income taxes to be imposed at a single, flat rate. A new bill filed in the Illinois General Assembly would allow for income to be taxed at varying rates, making it easier for lawmakers to raise rates.

TAGS: progressive income tax

Madigan is latest as Illinois averages 1 corruption conviction a week – for 40 years

By Dylan Sharkey

02/12/2025

Corruption in Illinois is on a weekly basis. The state averaged more than one corruption conviction per week from 1983-2023, which marked the start of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership.

TAGS: corruption, madigan

Nearly 10,000 ideas for Illinois laws. Just 44 came with price tags.

By Joe Tabor, Lilly Rossi

02/11/2025

Almost 10,000 bills were filed in the 103rd Illinois General Assembly that just ended. Of those, only 44 calculated how much the proposals would cost taxpayers.

Illinois lawmakers plan to short pensions by $5.1B in July

By Bryce Hill

02/10/2025

Illinois’ five state-run retirement systems need $16.8 billion in funding for the coming fiscal year, but state lawmakers only plan to pay $11.7 billion. That’s $5.1 billion less than needed for plans already approaching insolvency.

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

By Joe Tabor

02/10/2025

Published Feb. 10, 2025 Even though federal COVID relief funds provided an unexpected windfall, that one-time jolt of cash could leave many Illinois localities even worse off than they were before. That boost in revenue allowed local governments to put off difficult budgeting decisions, and as that revenue dries up, municipalities will have to contend...

What you need to know about whether Chicago Teachers Union will strike in April

By Mailee Smith

01/30/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools entered the “fact finding” phase of negotiations in January 2025. Here’s what that means, whether Chicago students might be out of class, when and what it all could do to taxpayers.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois General Assembly

Missed opportunity: Irresponsible budgeting costs Illinois nearly $27 billion

Pritzker’s $1.5B in wishful thinking might leave taxpayers poorer

State lawmakers want to spike Illinois’ public pension benefits by $60B

Illinois Democrats again attack parents’ rights to choose best education for their children

Bill introduced to again try for progressive income tax in Illinois

Madigan is latest as Illinois averages 1 corruption conviction a week – for 40 years

Nearly 10,000 ideas for Illinois laws. Just 44 came with price tags.

Illinois lawmakers plan to short pensions by $5.1B in July

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

What you need to know about whether Chicago Teachers Union will strike in April

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit Illinois students?

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