Greater Chicago area lawmakers ignore needed reforms, head on spring break

04/19/2017

While Chicago-area taxpayers struggle under a heavy tax burden, lawmakers – who continue to ignore reforms the state desperately needs – are now on a two-week vacation.

TAGS: Chicago, John Cullerton, Martin Moylan, Michelle Mussman, Mike Madigan

The damaging effects of Chicagoland’s latest tax hikes

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

04/17/2017

Chicagoans have been burdened with a slew of new taxes and the full damage has yet to be felt. A state income tax hike, like the one proposed in the Illinois Senate’s so-called “grand bargain,” would only further harm struggling Chicagoans.

TAGS: Chicago

While Metro East residents struggle, local lawmakers continue to get paid over 2-week spring break

By Hilary Gowins

04/13/2017

Local state Reps. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and Daniel Beiser, D-Alton, are still getting paid even though the state still does not have a balanced budget.

Illinois General Assembly proposes new internet privacy protections

By Amy Korte

04/11/2017

As the federal government repeals regulations requiring broadband companies to obtain consumers’ consent before using their browsing history and other personal information to create targeted ads, Illinois state politicians are moving to ramp up privacy protections. However, whether these bills would actually further those privacy goals or whether they would merely bolster Illinois’ class-action lawsuit industry while burdening businesses are open questions.

TAGS: Ann Williams, Arthur Turner, BIPA: Biometric Information Privacy Act, Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, Donald Trump, Facebook, FCC: Federal Communications Commission, Geolocation Privacy Protection Act, Google, Lou Lang, Michael Hastings, Microphone-Enabled Devices Act, Right to Know Act

Why are Illinois Democrats preparing to bail out bankers and cash-strapped local governments?

By Michael Lucci

04/03/2017

Bailout bills moving in the Illinois General Assembly would attempt to turn Illinois’ massive debt problems into guaranteed profits for banks and bondholders and a lower standard of living for other Illinoisans.

TAGS: bonds, budget, CTA: Chicago Transit Authority, general obligation bonds, grand bargain, John Cullerton, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, property taxes, RTA: Regional Transportation Authority

‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/28/2017

An education-funding plan in the General Assembly is already proven to make unattainable goals at a high cost to taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, education

Pension reform plan for Illinois: Right under its nose

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/24/2017

Since 1998, more than 20,000 state university workers have opted into a 401(k)-style plan instead of the traditional pension plan.

TAGS: 401(k), pensions, self-managed plans, SURS: State Universities Retirement System

Illinois lawmakers vote against bill to protect state workers from having their Social Security number shared with unions

By Mailee Smith

03/17/2017

Through collective bargaining agreements with the state, government-worker unions require access to workers’ social security numbers – even if those workers are not members of the union. A bill protecting worker privacy recently failed to get enough votes to pass out of committee.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Anna Moeller, labor, Stephanie Kifowit, unions

Illinois Medicaid expansion costs are already double initial projections

By Jonathan Ingram

03/09/2017

Between 2014 and 2016, Illinois’ Medicaid expansion cost $4.6 billion more than its supporters had forecasted, crowding out services for Illinois’ most vulnerable residents.

TAGS: budget, health care, Medicaid

Rivian Automotive gets $49.5 million in state tax credits for 1,000 jobs over 10 years

By Brendan Bakala

03/08/2017

The car manufacturer is promising to bring more than 1,000 jobs to Normal, Ill., after being offered $49.5 million in state tax credits and more in local tax credits and abatements.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, cronyism, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, jobs, manufacturing, tax credits

Illinois General Assembly

Greater Chicago area lawmakers ignore needed reforms, head on spring break

The damaging effects of Chicagoland’s latest tax hikes

While Metro East residents struggle, local lawmakers continue to get paid over 2-week spring break

Illinois General Assembly proposes new internet privacy protections

Why are Illinois Democrats preparing to bail out bankers and cash-strapped local governments?

‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions

Pension reform plan for Illinois: Right under its nose

Illinois lawmakers vote against bill to protect state workers from having their Social Security number shared with unions

Illinois Medicaid expansion costs are already double initial projections

Rivian Automotive gets $49.5 million in state tax credits for 1,000 jobs over 10 years

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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