Lawmakers borrow taxpayers charitable donations to fund government

01/31/2013

Mike Billy Illinois News Network Illinois taxpayers can use the states income tax form to donate to child abuse prevention, childhood cancer research and military family relief. But if you want to make sure your money actually gets to the charities, you might want to give them a check directly instead of using the state...

The real “State of the State”

By Chris Andriesen

01/31/2013

Facts you won't hear during Gov. Quinn's State of the State 2013 address

TAGS: State of the State

State of the State BINGO!

01/31/2013

Gov. Quinn’s State of the State address Noon Wednesday, Feb. 6 Watch Gov. Quinn’s State of the State address live online. How he frames the issues and which solutions he offers will be instructive. Gov. Pat Quinn is hinting that his State of the State speech will remind the public how the state?s image has been cleaned...

TAGS: State of the State

Politicians gamble on risky investments with TRS funds

By Jonathan Ingram

01/31/2013

Have you ever wondered what investments politicians have made using teachers retirement savings? If you havent, you should be interested.

Despite benefit cuts, number of students pursuing education continues to grow

01/31/2013

In 2010, the Illinois Legislature passed a pension bill that cut retirement benefits for new teachers. Both of the states major public school teachers unions said at the time that it would make it harder for Illinois schools to recruit educators.

Californias fake reforms yield credit upgrade

01/31/2013

In January, Standard and Poors upgraded Californias credit rating to A from A-, an action the rating agency said resulted from the states improved fiscal condition.

Proponents of progressive tax say rates can be decided later

01/31/2013

State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana, recently proposed to implement another income tax hike in Illinois is gaining interest across the state. A progressive income tax increases taxes on individuals more as they make more money.

TAGS: Naomi Jakobsson, progressive income tax

School choice boosts teachers effectiveness

01/31/2013

Charter schools are at the forefront of evaluating teacher effectiveness.

TAGS: school choice

New House Rules stifle negotiations

By Matt Paprocki, Jane McEnaney

01/31/2013

The Illinois House of Representatives met yesterday for the first time since being inaugurated on Jan. 9 to adopt the House Rules, HR 34. The most significant change in the rules for the 98th General Assembly is that all bills must receive the approval of the Rules Committee to be sent to substantive committees, where the legislation...

TAGS: house rules

“Laugh, Think, Do” Index: How to rate Super Bowl commercials like an expert

01/31/2013

Become an expert at rating Super Bowl commercials. Download the "Laugh, think, do" index template here.

Illinois

Lawmakers borrow taxpayers charitable donations to fund government

The real “State of the State”

State of the State BINGO!

Politicians gamble on risky investments with TRS funds

Despite benefit cuts, number of students pursuing education continues to grow

Californias fake reforms yield credit upgrade

Proponents of progressive tax say rates can be decided later

School choice boosts teachers effectiveness

New House Rules stifle negotiations

“Laugh, Think, Do” Index: How to rate Super Bowl commercials like an expert

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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