AFSCME’s hidden raises: A primer on government-worker salary schedules

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/06/2015

Under the union’s complicated salary formulas, yearly government-worker raises are higher than the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees would lead Illinoisans to believe.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, IDOC: Illinois Department of Corrections

7 pension reforms that Illinois can still enact despite the SB1 ruling

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/06/2015

Although the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that altering pension benefits of current government workers violates the Illinois Constitution, there are still actions – from politicians voluntarily reforming their own pension system, to allowing municipal bankruptcy – that Illinois can take to set government-worker pensions on a more fiscally sound path.

TAGS: 401(k), pensions

Fixing Illinois’ criminal-justice system means embracing sentencing reform, removing barriers to work

By Bryant Jackson-Green

11/05/2015

Alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders

TAGS: adult redeploy, prison reform, recidivism

Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015

11/04/2015

October saw a former Chicago Public Schools CEO plead guilty to wire fraud and several other instances of criminal charges and civil lawsuits against public officials, as well as crony deals between businesses and government.

TAGS: corruption

Illinois taxes are not low when entire picture is seen

By Michael Lucci

11/03/2015

In her recent opinion piece, Innovation Illinois’ Elizabeth Austin misrepresented the facts in order to claim Illinoisans don’t pay high taxes: “My View: Illinois OK when right tax info is compared.” As the state budget battle wages on, it’s important for taxpayers to be armed with accurate information. Austin claimed that so far in the...

TAGS: progressive income tax, taxes

Coming up short: What if Illinois’ pension funds miss their investment targets?

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/02/2015

Without real reforms, low investment yearly returns of 4 to 6 percent over the next 28 years could cost Illinois taxpayers anywhere from $100 billion to $200 billion above what they’re already expected to pay in contributions.

Michigan curtails civil asset forfeiture

By Bryant Jackson-Green

11/02/2015

Under civil asset forfeiture laws in Illinois and across the country, law enforcement can seize property without proving it was involved in a crime. Illinois should follow Michigan’s lead and reform these unjust laws.

Where things stand: No Illinois budget likely until 2016

By Heather Weiner

10/31/2015

State politicians will decide the fate of Chicago’s demand for more money, but a budget vote isn’t likely before January 2016.

TAGS: budget

Front lines of a broken state

By Austin Berg

10/30/2015

What happens to a family that can’t afford to leave Illinois?

TAGS: jobs, poverty, unemployment

Illinois politician proposes heavy regulations for fantasy sports

By Jeffrey Schwab

10/30/2015

HB 4323 would impose onerous rules and restrictions on fantasy-sports operations.

TAGS: regulations, taxes

Illinois

AFSCME’s hidden raises: A primer on government-worker salary schedules

7 pension reforms that Illinois can still enact despite the SB1 ruling

Fixing Illinois’ criminal-justice system means embracing sentencing reform, removing barriers to work

Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015

Illinois taxes are not low when entire picture is seen

Coming up short: What if Illinois’ pension funds miss their investment targets?

Michigan curtails civil asset forfeiture

Where things stand: No Illinois budget likely until 2016

Front lines of a broken state

Illinois politician proposes heavy regulations for fantasy sports

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