Another bump up for Illinois’ new unemployment claims

By Brad Weisenstein

03/04/2021

Illinois saw new unemployment claims rise for a third week, even as nearly 3 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been given to Illinoisans.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

Illinois again ranks No. 2 in U.S. for highest property taxes

By Lisa Rigoni

03/04/2021

Illinois again ranked second for highest property tax rates in the nation in 2021, behind only New Jersey.

TAGS: pensions, population, property taxes

Spending cap can stop Illinois from outspending Harrisburg incomes

By Bryce Hill

03/03/2021

Illinois spent over nine times faster than Harrisburg incomes grew during the past decade. A bipartisan ‘spending cap’ bill would allow predictable, sustainable growth in state spending without tax hikes.

TAGS: Harrisburg, spending cap

Speaker Welch says Illinois’ financial disclosure forms are ‘worthless’

By Joe Tabor

03/02/2021

The new speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives referred to state lawmakers’ statements of economic interest forms as confusing and a ‘worthless piece of document.’ They can be fixed.

TAGS: Chris Welch, conflict of interest, financial disclosure

Hidden pension ‘tax’ costs each Illinoisan more than $1,400 per year

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

03/02/2021

Illinoisans pay a hidden pension tax. Eliminating that cost would free up resources to help Illinois recover from the COVID-19 recession while also raising the state’s long-term economic potential.

TAGS: pensions, public sector, taxes

Spending cap can stop Illinois from outspending Springfield incomes

By Bryce Hill

03/02/2021

Illinois spent nearly two times faster than Springfield incomes grew during the past decade. A bipartisan ‘spending cap’ bill would allow predictable, sustainable growth in state spending without tax hikes.

TAGS: spending cap, Springfield

Spending cap can stop Illinois from outspending Edwardsville incomes

By Bryce Hill

03/02/2021

Illinois spent over six times faster than Edwardsville incomes grew during the past decade. A bipartisan ‘spending cap’ bill would allow predictable, sustainable growth in state spending without tax hikes.

TAGS: Edwardsville, spending cap

Spending cap can stop Illinois from outspending Downers Grove incomes

By Bryce Hill

03/02/2021

Illinois spent 115% faster than Downers Grove incomes grew during the past decade. A bipartisan ‘spending cap’ bill would allow predictable, sustainable growth in state spending without tax hikes.

TAGS: Downers Grove, spending cap

Flat education spending is a cut when pensions, administration take more

03/01/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans another year of flat education spending. The reality is the cash reaching classrooms is dwindling as pensions and administration eat more.

TAGS: budget, education spending, JB Pritzker, pensions

Chicago’s higher property taxes hit March 2

By Brad Weisenstein

03/01/2021

Cook County’s first property tax payments are due March 2. In Chicago, property taxes have grown more than 3 times faster than inflation for 20 years.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, pensions, property taxes

Illinois

Another bump up for Illinois’ new unemployment claims

Illinois again ranks No. 2 in U.S. for highest property taxes

Spending cap can stop Illinois from outspending Harrisburg incomes

Speaker Welch says Illinois’ financial disclosure forms are ‘worthless’

Hidden pension ‘tax’ costs each Illinoisan more than $1,400 per year

Spending cap can stop Illinois from outspending Springfield incomes

Spending cap can stop Illinois from outspending Edwardsville incomes

Spending cap can stop Illinois from outspending Downers Grove incomes

Flat education spending is a cut when pensions, administration take more

Chicago’s higher property taxes hit March 2

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