Capitol Updates: April 15 week in review
The progressive tax, medical marijuana and multidistrict virtual charter schools
4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap
Causes, costs, how to set the state free
View ReportIllinois House of Representatives
State lawmakers sponsor legislation to match Budget Solutions reforms
On Feb. 28, the Illinois Policy Institute held a press conference to publicly release its alternative budget plan, entitled Budget Solutions 2014. This 10-point plan offers responsible solutions to Illinois’ fiscal crisis. State Reps. Tom Morrison, Jeanne Ives, Dwight Kay and state Sen. Kyle McCarter showed their support and attended the press conference. Budget Solutions...
From Dixon to Springfield: freshman state representative fights public corruption
State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, is a freshman state legislator from the home of the infamous Rita Crundwell, the former Dixon Comptroller.
Illinois lawmakers want to prohibit the sale of energy drinks to minors
Mike Billy Illinois News Network If some Illinois lawmakers have their way, popular energy drinks such as Monster and Red Bull will face increased regulation. Two bills that have been introduced to the Illinois House of Representatives would make it illegal to sell or deliver an energy drink to anyone under the age of 18....
New House Rules stifle negotiations
The Illinois House of Representatives met yesterday for the first time since being inaugurated on Jan. 9 to adopt the House Rules, HR 34. The most significant change in the rules for the 98th General Assembly is that all bills must receive the approval of the Rules Committee to be sent to substantive committees, where the legislation...
Bailing out state pension systems rewards bad behavior
Over the weekend, the Peoria Journal Star published a letter to the editor from an elementary school principal in downstate Illinois.
Budget and tax year-end review: a recap of the best and worst of 2012
Unfortunately, 2012 was another dismal year for budget and tax policy in Illinois. It seems that the more things change the more they get worse in this state. But the Illinois Policy Institute is fighting to fix that. We believe that Illinois can once again become a beacon of economic freedom, individual liberty and prosperity....
Veto session: legislative recap
There was very little legislative activity during the past two weeks of veto session in Springfield. However, several bills have been further positioned to move during special session in January, when lame duck legislators will retain voting power, even though they were voted out of office in November. The following is a recap of the...
HJR 45: better than nothing
Faint praise for a fainthearted resolution Much of Illinois politics has become a contest of wills between a political establishment that is prone to wishful thinking and government employee unions with worldviews that border on fantasy. House Joint Resolution 45, or HJR 45, represents the latest attempt to wrest control of state spending away from...
Sneak peek at special session
Key issues that we expect to be brought up during Januarys special session
