The high cost of recidivism

By Bryant Jackson-Green

10/20/2015

Repeat offenses cost Illinois taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year; removing obstacles to work would help combat this problem.

TAGS: recidivism

Fitch cuts Illinois credit rating, cites budget gridlock, massive debt and sluggish growth

By Austin Berg

10/19/2015

The Illinois General Assembly is refusing to fix Illinois’ structural problems. Downgrades are the consequence.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, Fitch Ratings

Illinois’ tax revenues increased more than those of any state but North Dakota since Great Recession

By Michael Lucci

10/19/2015

A new study from The Pew Charitable Trusts shows that Illinois’ tax revenues are up by 20 percent over their pre-Great Recession peak, debunking the oft-repeated mantra that Illinois is just one more tax hike away from solving its fiscal problems.

TAGS: budget, taxes

Illinois needs term limits

By Jim Long

10/18/2015

Illinois should adopt term limits for its elected officials to diminish the unchecked power of career politicians such as House Speaker Mike Madigan.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, term limits

Warning signal: High-end home sales slow to a crawl in Chicago suburbs

10/16/2015

“Not totally dead” yet In the Chicago suburbs of Burr Ridge, Naperville and Hinsdale this summer, sales of high-end real estate hit a huge slump, which continues. For example, Crain’s Chicago Business reports the city of Burr Ridge has 100 homes on the market priced at $1 million or higher, but only 14 have sold...

TAGS: home price index, property taxes

Meet the politicians getting rich off Chicago’s property-tax scheme

By Austin Berg

10/16/2015

Flawed property valuations and the process required to fix them are a cash cow for law firms, including those of House Speaker Mike Madigan, Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, cronyism, Ed Burke, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan, property taxes

Illinois’ budget crunch: No cash for pensions

By Ted Dabrowski

10/15/2015

Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger announced the state will delay a $560 million pension payment as the state’s government-pension-driven fiscal crisis worsens.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Illinois Supreme Court, Leslie Munger, pensions

Win more than $600 in the Illinois Lottery? You get an IOU

By Hilary Gowins

10/14/2015

The state budget impasse is having increasingly embarrassing consequences.

TAGS: budget, illinois lottery

Company founded by political insiders received over $22 million from Illinois in vendor late fees

By Amy Korte

10/13/2015

The state of Illinois has paid $611 million in late fees to vendors. Political insiders who have donated to some of the state’s most powerful elected officials are reaping the benefits.

TAGS: budget, debt, unpaid bills

Dues and don’ts: SEIU spent caregivers’ money for ‘representation’ on advertising, Christmas party

By Austin Berg

10/13/2015

SEIU spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on things clearly unrelated to the representation of union members.

TAGS: fair share, SEIU: Service Employees International Union

Illinois

The high cost of recidivism

Fitch cuts Illinois credit rating, cites budget gridlock, massive debt and sluggish growth

Illinois’ tax revenues increased more than those of any state but North Dakota since Great Recession

Illinois needs term limits

Warning signal: High-end home sales slow to a crawl in Chicago suburbs

Meet the politicians getting rich off Chicago’s property-tax scheme

Illinois’ budget crunch: No cash for pensions

Win more than $600 in the Illinois Lottery? You get an IOU

Company founded by political insiders received over $22 million from Illinois in vendor late fees

Dues and don’ts: SEIU spent caregivers’ money for ‘representation’ on advertising, Christmas party

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