Illinois’ political machine is still humming

By Austin Berg

07/27/2017

Madigan, Martwick and Mautino are cogs in a well-oiled political machine that continues to enrich Illinois' political class at the expense of taxpayers.

TAGS: corruption, cronyism, Frank Mautino, Mike Madigan, property taxes, Robert Martwick

Illinois General Assembly passes bill to restrict collection, use of geolocation data

By Amy Korte

07/26/2017

Whether a new bill would actually strengthen privacy protections, or merely encourage lawsuits, burden businesses and suppress innovation are open questions.

TAGS: BIPA: Biometric Information Privacy Act, Geolocation Privacy Protection Act, privacy, regulations

New education funding plan repeats Chicago Public Schools bailout history

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

07/25/2017

Senate Bill 1 is yet another unfair bailout of long-term mismanagement within Chicago Public Schools.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, pensions, Senate Bill 1

Rauner calls special session on education finance bill

By Brendan Bakala

07/24/2017

The special session will deal with Senate Bill 1, an education finance bill that contains an annual $215 million pension bailout for Chicago Public Schools.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, pensions, Senate Bill 1

Trump administration undermines Illinois civil asset forfeiture reforms

By Hilary Gowins

07/22/2017

The reinstatement of a federal asset forfeiture program marks a step backward for civil asset forfeiture reform.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, criminal justice reform, Jeff Sessions

Illinois’ 32% income tax hike shows need for taxpayer bill of rights

07/22/2017

Illinois taxpayers deserve to have a voice in budgeting decisions as politicians continually look to hike their taxes.

TAGS: budget, income tax, TABOR: Taxpayer Bill of Rights

Federal bill would give more rights to workers in unionized workplaces

By Mailee Smith

07/20/2017

A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would allow workers a real say in which union represents them, require secret ballots for union voting, and ensure that all workers’ voices count – not just those who align with the union.

TAGS: labor, unions

Illinois bill would legalize sale, production of hemp

By John Kristof

07/18/2017

Senate Bill 1294 creates the Industrial Hemp Act, which would require licensing for “any person desiring to grow, process, cultivate, harvest, process, possess, sell, or purchase industrial hemp or industrial hemp related products must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture.”

TAGS: agriculture, hemp, marijuana

Illinois income tax increase now in effect

By John Kristof

07/12/2017

The Illinois Department of Revenue issued details on how to comply with the state’s increase income tax, signaling the reality of higher taxes for Illinoisans.

TAGS: budget, Illinois Department of Revenue, income tax, taxes

New study ranks Illinois 2nd-worst in fiscal health

By Marianna Schmiesing

07/12/2017

New findings from the Mercatus Center highlight how Illinois’ reliance on debt and costly pension and other employment benefits have put the state on the wrong fiscal track.

TAGS: budget, pensions

Illinois General Assembly

Illinois’ political machine is still humming

Illinois General Assembly passes bill to restrict collection, use of geolocation data

New education funding plan repeats Chicago Public Schools bailout history

Rauner calls special session on education finance bill

Trump administration undermines Illinois civil asset forfeiture reforms

Illinois’ 32% income tax hike shows need for taxpayer bill of rights

Federal bill would give more rights to workers in unionized workplaces

Illinois bill would legalize sale, production of hemp

Illinois income tax increase now in effect

New study ranks Illinois 2nd-worst in fiscal health

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