Illinois

How a state government employee can get a 30 percent raise in just four years

By Paul Kersey
03/05/2013
The convoluted process of figuring out a unionized state government employee’s wages is a prime example of why the collective bargaining process needs more sunshine. While we wait for details on the contract that the state agreed to with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, it’s worth examining how to figure out...

Illinois state lawmakers should say no to ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion

By Jonathan Ingram
03/04/2013
Senate Democrats pushed through Senate Bill 26, which would impose ObamaCare’s massive expansion of Medicaid on Illinois, on Feb. 28. The bill passed on a party-line vote. You may recall that when this bill was debated in committee, proponents were allowed an hour of testimony – I was given less than one minute to testify in opposition. It’s a...

Illinois good government bills watch list

By Brian Costin
03/04/2013
The 2013 legislative session is in full swing and there are a number of good government reform bills that have been introduced by legislators of both parties. While much of the focus in the media and at the Illinois Policy Institute is rightly on big-dollar issues such as pension and Medicaid reform, there are many other issues...

State lawmakers sponsor legislation to match Budget Solutions reforms

By Jane McEnaney
03/04/2013
On Feb. 28, the Illinois Policy Institute held a press conference to publicly release its alternative budget plan, entitled Budget Solutions 2014. This 10-point plan offers responsible solutions to Illinois’ fiscal crisis. State Reps. Tom Morrison, Jeanne Ives, Dwight Kay and state Sen. Kyle McCarter showed their support and attended the press conference. Budget Solutions...

The sequester: a small a step in the right direction

By Chris Andriesen
03/01/2013
“Illinois will lose approximately $33.4 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 460 teacher and aide jobs at risk.” “Up to 1,100 disadvantaged and vulnerable children could lose access to child care.” “Illinois would lose approximately $764,000 in funds that provide meals for seniors.” “Vital services will be cut for children, seniors,...

The new AFSCME contract: a deal Illinois can’t afford

By Paul Kersey
03/01/2013
Gov. Pat Quinn managed to avoid a government worker strike, but that doesn’t spell success. There is still much that remains unknown about the terms of the tentative agreement that Illinois just reached with Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, but the main features that are emerging paint a...

Cook County cigarette tax hike takes effect today

By Hilary Gowins
03/01/2013
Health nuts and anti-tobacco fanatics, get out your streamers and champagne: Cook County’s new $1 per pack cigarette tax hike goes into effect today. Contrary to the so-called health conscious intentions of this tax’s creators, however, Cook County smokers will continue to buy cigarettes. Lots of them. Last year, Cook County brought in approximately $115 million...

Laying the groundwork for a true economic turnaround in Illinois

By Benjamin VanMetre
03/01/2013
Illinois lawmakers passed a 67% income tax hike in 2011. They said that the tax hike would be temporary, making a promise to taxpayers that it would sunset on Jan. 1st, 2015. But there have been absolutely no reform efforts to date that would reduce spending enough for lawmakers to keep their promise. And with...

New AFSCME contract?

By Paul Kersey
02/28/2013
Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees announced a few minutes ago that they have reached a tentative agreement with the state of Illinois. As of right now the terms are unknown. While they will leak out to the public slowly, there is no guarantee that the general public will get...
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FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Illinois students could soon benefit from scholarship money to help them find a tutor, attend ACT or SAT prep sessions, pay tuition, get special education services or assist with other academic needs. That will happen in Illinois only if Gov. J.B. Pritzker lets the state’s schoolchildren benefit from the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, established...

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Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014

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

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016