Illinois’ half-baked marijuana legalization costs state $600M

By Adam Schuster

04/20/2022

A complex system of high taxes and restrictive licensing undermines the goals of marijuana legalization proponents – leaving $600 million in potential revenue uncollected while helping the illegal drug trade.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, marijuana, taxes

Illinois’ 2nd-highest gas taxes drive motorists, business across state lines

By Patrick Andriesen

04/19/2022

Drivers save 45 cents a gallon on gas by filling up at a station across the state line in Missouri, thanks to Illinois boosting gas taxes to No. 2 in the U.S. Gas station owners said Illinois drivers are filling up in other states.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

New Illinois law forces gas stations to campaign for Pritzker

By Brad Weisenstein

04/19/2022

The content of the signs isn’t quite as important as the message being delivered to Illinois’ gas station owners: “Push our campaign agenda, or we’ll treat you like a criminal and fine you $500 per day.”

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

Fact check: Pritzker’s gas tax delay doesn’t ‘lower prices’

By Dylan Sharkey

04/15/2022

In his latest re-election ad, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted his election-year tax relief as lowering prices for families. He failed to mention his plan expires shortly after the election and that he imposed thousands in new taxes as his term began.

TAGS: gas prices, JB Pritzker

Illinois adds 18,300 jobs in March, still missing 154,500 from pandemic

By Bryce Hill

04/15/2022

Illinois’ employment recovery continued in March, but the state is still missing one in five jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic downturn and state restrictions.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

Illinois cities take on more debt to cope with pensions

04/14/2022

Pension deficits are causing communities to consider more borrowing – and gambling with the proceeds – as pensions continue to consume bigger shares of budgets.

TAGS: Illinois, local government, pension obligation bonds

Over 23,000 Illinois public school employees leave unions

By Hannah Schmid

04/14/2022

Membership in teachers unions has decreased nearly 10% since 2017, when public educators gained the right to stop handing their pay to unions.

TAGS: Illinois, opt out, public schools, teachers union

4 years of Pritzker leaves average Illinois family paying $2,165 more in taxes

By Adam Schuster, Patrick Andriesen

04/13/2022

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and lawmakers passed modest tax relief that expires after the 2022 election. But 24 tax and fee hikes during Pritzker’s term will leave the average family $2,165 poorer thanks to higher taxes.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, taxes

More than 38,000 workers have left government unions in Illinois

By Mailee Smith

04/12/2022

The unions’ own federal reports show 9% of workers have chosen to break away from unions since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME.

TAGS: government unions, Janus v. AFSCME, membership

Illinois House passes bill to scan license plates on highways

By Dylan Sharkey

04/12/2022

The Illinois House approved a law calling for the installation of license plate reading cameras. Big Brother just wants to solve crime.

TAGS: Illinois, interstate highway, license plate recognition camera

Illinois

Illinois’ half-baked marijuana legalization costs state $600M

Illinois’ 2nd-highest gas taxes drive motorists, business across state lines

New Illinois law forces gas stations to campaign for Pritzker

Fact check: Pritzker’s gas tax delay doesn’t ‘lower prices’

Illinois adds 18,300 jobs in March, still missing 154,500 from pandemic

Illinois cities take on more debt to cope with pensions

Over 23,000 Illinois public school employees leave unions

4 years of Pritzker leaves average Illinois family paying $2,165 more in taxes

More than 38,000 workers have left government unions in Illinois

Illinois House passes bill to scan license plates on highways

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

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students