Madigan has spent nearly $170,000 in campaign funds on baseball tickets in 2017

04/19/2017

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan reportedly uses his large quantity of Cubs and White Sox tickets as gifts for his political volunteers, but his history with professional sports teams in Chicago isn’t so generous.

TAGS: Chicago Cubs, Mike Madigan

Tax Day 2017: Where does Illinois’ $38.1 billion in tax revenue come from?

By Craig Lesner

04/17/2017

About two-thirds of state revenue comes from income and sales taxes.

TAGS: budget, Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, Illinois Department of Revenue, income tax, taxes

The damaging effects of Chicagoland’s latest tax hikes

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

04/17/2017

Chicagoans have been burdened with a slew of new taxes and the full damage has yet to be felt. A state income tax hike, like the one proposed in the Illinois Senate’s so-called “grand bargain,” would only further harm struggling Chicagoans.

TAGS: Chicago

Amazon received more than $112 million in EDGE tax credits in 2016

By Brendan Bakala

04/14/2017

In exchange for more than $112 million in tax breaks, Amazon promised to expand its Illinois operations and hire 7,200 new employees in Aurora, Monee and Joliet.

TAGS: Amazon, Aurora, cronyism, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, jobs, Joliet, Monee, tax credits

Illinois lawmakers want to tax laundry, storage unit services

04/14/2017

Senate Bill 9 would apply a 6.25 percent sales tax to laundry, dry cleaning, storage units and parking garages, among other services.

TAGS: grand bargain, Illinois Senate, sales tax, service tax, taxes, Toi Hutchinson

15 southern Illinois counties drop in population

04/14/2017

Fifteen counties in the southernmost part of Illinois lost population from July 2015 to July 2016, fueled by significant domestic migration.

TAGS: Alexander County, Franklin County, Gallatin County, Hamilton County, Hardin County, Jackson County, Massac County, outmigration, Perry County, Pope County, population, Pulaski County, Randolph County, Saline County, Union County, White County, Williamson County

While Metro East residents struggle, local lawmakers continue to get paid over 2-week spring break

By Hilary Gowins

04/13/2017

Local state Reps. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and Daniel Beiser, D-Alton, are still getting paid even though the state still does not have a balanced budget.

Illinois Tollway fees a good example of how Illinois politicians interpret ‘temporary’

By Matt Paprocki

04/13/2017

Illinois politicians are once again eyeing a “temporary” tax increase, and residents should be wary. History shows Illinois politicians favor tax hikes over spending reform, and the Tollway and 2011 income tax battle offer examples of the dangers taxpayers face when politicians toy with a temporary tax hike.

TAGS: Illinois Tollway

Multibillion-dollar tax hikes will only exacerbate Illinois’ weak economic activity

By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner

04/13/2017

The latest report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shows Illinois experienced falling tax collections, indicating trouble in the state economy. Spending reforms – not tax hikes – are what Illinois needs to right its fiscal ship and boost economic growth.

TAGS: budget, COGFA: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, Dan McConchie, Kyle McCarter, Moody's Investor Service

Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k

By Eric Kohn

04/13/2017

Though the median household income in Belleville is only $43,318, Belleville Township School District 201’s top administrators are making six-figure salaries.

TAGS: Andrea Gannon, Belleville, Belleville Township School District 201, Brian Mentzer, education, Jeff Dosier, Melissa Taylor, Metro East, property taxes, Rich Mertens, St. Clair County, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Illinois

Madigan has spent nearly $170,000 in campaign funds on baseball tickets in 2017

Tax Day 2017: Where does Illinois’ $38.1 billion in tax revenue come from?

The damaging effects of Chicagoland’s latest tax hikes

Amazon received more than $112 million in EDGE tax credits in 2016

Illinois lawmakers want to tax laundry, storage unit services

15 southern Illinois counties drop in population

While Metro East residents struggle, local lawmakers continue to get paid over 2-week spring break

Illinois Tollway fees a good example of how Illinois politicians interpret ‘temporary’

Multibillion-dollar tax hikes will only exacerbate Illinois’ weak economic activity

Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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