Vallas: SAFE-T Act starts Monday. 4 ways to make it safer

By Paul Vallas

09/14/2023

Proponents of the SAFE-T Act see it as an end to discrimination in a system that favors the wealthy. Opponents see it as depriving law enforcement of the tools they need to keep streets safe. Both are right. Four legislative actions could fix that.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Lawsuit filed over Illinois mandating all constitutional challenges be filed in just 2 counties

By Joe Tabor

09/07/2023

The law would limit the venue for state constitutional claims to Cook or Sangamon counties. Downstate residents are suing because judges they aren’t allowed to elect will hear cases.

What to expect when cash bail ends in Illinois

By Joe Tabor

07/27/2023

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled ending cash bail is constitutional. What does that mean for Illinois? It means ready or not, the system changes Sept. 18.

TAGS: cash bail

Illinois Supreme Court: Criminal cash bail goes away Sept. 18

By Dylan Sharkey

07/18/2023

Illinois will become the first state to eliminate cash bail. The Illinois Supreme Court on July 18 upheld the Pretrial Fairness Act, ruling it doesn’t violate the Illinois Constitution.

TAGS: cash bail, Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois adding casinos, but video gaming pays over 3X as much tax

By Dylan Sharkey

07/17/2023

Illinois is on pace for four new casinos in 2023, but the state’s tax payout from video gambling in local bars and restaurants remains a much bigger win.

TAGS: gambling

Illinois’ pension bonanza: invest $166K, take home $5.5M

By Patrick Andriesen

06/15/2023

Being in the top 10 of Illinois’ five statewide pension systems is an investor’s dream and a taxpayer’s nightmare. The median investment is shy of $166,000, but the estimated lifetime payout is $5.5 million.

Pritzker calls for campaign finance reform after spending $323M on campaigns

By Dylan Sharkey

05/01/2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker told Harvard students self-financing political campaigns isn’t the answer, calling for campaign finance reform. Pritzker self-financed both of his gubernatorial campaigns for a total of $323 million.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Poll: Most Illinoisans support constitutional pension reform

By Dylan Sharkey

04/25/2023

Fifty-six percent of Illinoisans support amending the Illinois Constitution to reform the state’s public pension systems. Illinois has the nation’s least-funded pension plans.

Poll: Nearly 3-in-5 Illinoisans say property taxes don’t deliver value

By Dylan Sharkey

04/24/2023

Fifty-eight percent of Illinois voters polled said their property taxes don’t provide enough value in public services. Illinoisans pay the second-highest property taxes in the nation.

Illinois families pay highest state, local taxes in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

03/21/2023

A new WalletHub study found the typical household in Illinois pays 15% of its income to state and local taxes, the highest in the nation. That’s an average of $10,463 – a 22% hike since 2017.

Illinois Supreme Court

Vallas: SAFE-T Act starts Monday. 4 ways to make it safer

Lawsuit filed over Illinois mandating all constitutional challenges be filed in just 2 counties

What to expect when cash bail ends in Illinois

Illinois Supreme Court: Criminal cash bail goes away Sept. 18

Illinois adding casinos, but video gaming pays over 3X as much tax

Illinois’ pension bonanza: invest $166K, take home $5.5M

Pritzker calls for campaign finance reform after spending $323M on campaigns

Poll: Most Illinoisans support constitutional pension reform

Poll: Nearly 3-in-5 Illinoisans say property taxes don’t deliver value

Illinois families pay highest state, local taxes in nation

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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