Spotlight on Spending #9: The State Un-Fair

By Chris Andriesen

07/29/2010

The Problem Around this time each year, Illinois residents start making plans to attend the DuQuoin and Illinois State Fairs. But these state fairs are costing taxpayers much more than their ticket prices suggest. These two state fairs have a long record of their expenditures far outweighing their revenues. Between fiscal years 2001 and 2009,...

2,134 Page Bill Full of Appropriations

06/28/2010

by Amanda Griffin-Johnson At end of May, the Illinois General Assembly adjourned without addressing how to pay for the $6 billion in unpaid bills and required $3.7 billion pension payment for next year. But both houses did have time to pass House Bill 0859. The bill’s synopsis as introduced states that the bill: “Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General...

Over $2,000 for Lighting at the Ethnic Village

03/08/2010

The Department of Commerce spent $2,464 on lighting for the Ethnic Village at the 2008 state fair

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Illinois’ tax code stands in the way of the state’s economic competitiveness. The combination of high tax burdens and a poor tax structure contributes to the loss of jobs and investment to other states. From a place of former economic dominance, Illinois now ranks 45th in gross state product (GSP) growth over the past decade...

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Illinois State Fair

Spotlight on Spending #9: The State Un-Fair

2,134 Page Bill Full of Appropriations

Over $2,000 for Lighting at the Ethnic Village

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

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