We keep looking for leadership – and we keep ending up with politics.

How confident do you feel that Illinois will be able to pay its bills in 2013 and beyond?

Learn more about the disadvantages of a progressive income tax.

Although the pension fund for state employees predicted it would earn $850 million in fiscal year 2012, it actually earned less than $6 million. The fund posted an investment return of just 0.05 percent, far below the 7.75 percent it expected.

Two years ago, the average family started forking over an additional $1,500 from their annual pay due to higher taxes.

Illinois’ credit rating received a warning today from Fitch Ratings. What Fitch cited as the “ongoing inability of the state to address its large and growing unfunded pension liability” means a rating downgrade is likely unless reforms are passed within s

For years annual pension costs have been crowding out spending on education, health care and public safety. Now, Illinois legislators are looking to lock that in.