US Supreme Court ruling means Illinois could legalize sports betting

By Vincent Caruso

05/15/2018

A decisive opinion issued by the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a 1992 ban on sports gambling, putting the ball in Springfield’s court.

TAGS: gambling, gaming, Lou Lang, Napoleon Harris, Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, sports betting, sports gambling, Steve Stadelman, U.S. Supreme Court

Cap spending now: Illinois taxpayers need a responsible budget this year

By Adam Schuster

05/04/2018

Lawmakers should voluntarily adopt a spending cap to give taxpayers the certainty they deserve.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, bonds, budget, COGFA: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, credit rating, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, spending, spending cap, taxes

How to mislead Illinoisans into accepting higher taxes

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

05/03/2018

A new report would have Illinoisans believe that a progressive income tax means tax cuts and economic growth. Illinois lawmakers’ tax-and-spend tendencies and evidence from all 50 states say otherwise.

TAGS: CTBA: Center for Budget and Tax Accountability, deficit, GDP: gross domestic product, graduated income tax, income tax, jobs, progressive income tax, Ralph Martire, spending, spending cap, taxes

Lawmakers stand for spending cap in Springfield

By Joe Tabor

04/27/2018

A constitutional amendment to impose fiscal discipline on state lawmakers is gaining bipartisan support.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, Michael Connelly, spending, spending cap, taxes, Tom Cullerton

Bill would allow government bonuses for union members, but ban them for other state workers

By Mailee Smith

04/24/2018

Government worker unions and their allies are preparing for a potential loss in Janus v. AFSCME, doing whatever they can to bolster union ranks. One example: House Bill 5309, which would privilege union status over the interests of other state government workers.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Janus v. AFSCME, labor

Will Illinois pass a budget this year?

By Adam Schuster

04/20/2018

History shows lawmakers prefer to avoid tough but necessary choices.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, credit rating, debt, income tax, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, spending, spending cap, taxes

Illinois House passes bill stopping pay raises for lawmakers

By Brendan Bakala

04/20/2018

House Bill 5760 would stop lawmakers’ scheduled cost-of-living adjustment. Illinois lawmakers are the fifth-highest paid state lawmakers in the nation.

TAGS: COLA: cost of living adjustment, GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, lawmaker pay, pensions, salaries

House bill would shield retirement income from taxation

By Vincent Caruso

04/19/2018

A proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution would render residents’ retirement earnings off limits for Springfield.

Happy birthday, Mike Madigan

By Austin Berg

04/19/2018

What do you get a man who has everything?

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Trio of licensing reform bills advance to House floor

By Vincent Caruso

04/13/2018

Three proposals that would ease occupational licensing restrictions have reached the House floor, passing unanimously out of committee.

TAGS: occupational licensing, Tom Demmer

Illinois House of Representatives

US Supreme Court ruling means Illinois could legalize sports betting

Cap spending now: Illinois taxpayers need a responsible budget this year

How to mislead Illinoisans into accepting higher taxes

Lawmakers stand for spending cap in Springfield

Bill would allow government bonuses for union members, but ban them for other state workers

Will Illinois pass a budget this year?

Illinois House passes bill stopping pay raises for lawmakers

House bill would shield retirement income from taxation

Happy birthday, Mike Madigan

Trio of licensing reform bills advance to House floor

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