Illinois Department of Corrections paid 55 nurses over $100K per year

04/04/2017

Despite a fight from the union, the Illinois Department of Corrections is replacing 124 unionized nurses with private subcontractors, which could save taxpayers millions each year.

TAGS: budget, IDOC: Illinois Department of Corrections, INA: Illinois Nurses Association

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

Luxembourg’s ambassador sends letter to Illinois House leaders

By Brendan Bakala

03/31/2017

Luxembourg’s ambassador to the United States has voiced objections to an Illinois House bill that would label Luxembourg a tax haven and subject corporations expatriated there to restrictions on investments and business dealings with the state of Illinois.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Christian Mitchell, grand bargain, Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois Investment Policy Board, Jim Durkin, John D’Amico, Katie Stuart, Lawrence Walsh Jr., Martin Moylan, Mike Madigan, Sam Yingling, Silvana Tabares, Stephanie Kifowit, Sue Scherer

Illinois House passes bill to allow residents to dissolve townships

By Brendan Bakala

03/30/2017

On March 29, the Illinois House of Representatives voted almost unanimously in favor of allowing voters to decide on local government consolidation – a crucial component of shrinking local government spending, which drives up property taxes. State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, sponsored House Bill 496, which received bipartisan support – more than a dozen representatives...

TAGS: local government consolidation, townships

‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M

03/22/2017

Proposed legislation to commemorate former President Barack Obama’s birthday as a state holiday in Illinois would have cost taxpayers nearly $20 million in state personnel expenses and lost productivity.

TAGS: Barack Obama, Deb Conroy, Fred Crespo, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Martin Moylan, Michelle Mussman, Stephanie Kifowit, Sue Scherer

Illinois Supreme Court won’t hear state employee pay case immediately

By Brendan Bakala

03/21/2017

The Illinois Supreme Court refused to hear Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s request to stop state employees from getting paid until a budget is passed.

TAGS: Illinois Supreme Court, labor, Lisa Madigan, unions

Illinois politicians vote to divert $300M from state coffers to fuel local spending

By Amy Korte

03/16/2017

Despite Illinois’ billions in deficit spending and skyrocketing debt, the Illinois House of Representatives passed House Bill 278, which would transfer an additional $300 million per year of state income tax funds to local governments, continuing to prop up local overspending that fuels high property taxes.

TAGS: Illinois House of Representatives, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, property taxes

Useless committees provide political pay raises for state lawmakers

By Austin Berg

02/24/2017

Buried in the House rules lawmakers passed in January are a dozen new committees, bringing the total number of standing committees in the House to 45. Committee chairs receive a $10,326 stipend annually.

TAGS: house rules, Illinois House of Representatives, Mike Madigan

Court denies Madigan petition to stop state worker pay

By Mailee Smith

02/16/2017

Lisa Madigan lost the first round in her quest to stop state worker pay during Illinois’ budget impasse. But that doesn’t mean the matter is settled. The attorney general could take this issue all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, budget, Lisa Madigan, state worker pay

Why a fair, balanced budget takes political courage

By Austin Berg

02/09/2017

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle grow more and more powerful as the size of state and local government increases.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, unions

Illinois House of Representatives

Illinois Department of Corrections paid 55 nurses over $100K per year

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

Luxembourg’s ambassador sends letter to Illinois House leaders

Illinois House passes bill to allow residents to dissolve townships

‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M

Illinois Supreme Court won’t hear state employee pay case immediately

Illinois politicians vote to divert $300M from state coffers to fuel local spending

Useless committees provide political pay raises for state lawmakers

Court denies Madigan petition to stop state worker pay

Why a fair, balanced budget takes political courage

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