Illinois

Illinoisans agree: The tax hike was a failure

By Chris Andriesen
02/23/2012
by Taylor Smith It’s no secret that Illinois’ record income tax hike has failed to revive Illinois’ fiscal health. But it also has dramatically exacerbated the state’s economic outlook on many levels. Since the tax hike, Illinois’ unemployment numbers have worsened. In 2011, Illinois’ unemployment rate increased most in the nation – by far – with 46...

2011 Illinois General Assembly Legislative Vote Card: Full Year-End Report

By Chris Andriesen
02/16/2012
Introduction Illinois’ prosperity hinges on better public policy, and 2011 was a crucial year for the state as it faces massive challenges. The state raised taxes on every family and business in Illinois, and then doled out tax breaks to a special few. Any serious reform of state spending was left to future years, meaning...

Rebuttal to Gov. Quinn’s 2012 State of the State Address

02/01/2012
by John Tillman Below, you will see a link to my brief response to Gov. Quinn’s 2012 State-of-the-State speech presented at noon today in Springfield. The overarching theme with the Governor’s speech is that Illinois is moving forward and is “back on course.” How does that square with the people of Illinois? Actually, 74% say the...

Wrong way, Illinois: Unemployment rate increased most in the nation in 2011

By Ted Dabrowski
01/26/2012
As Gov. Pat Quinn prepares for the State of the State address on Feb. 1, he will find it difficult to defend the state’s economic policies that have resulted in more unemployed Illinoisans in 2011. Almost a year after Illinois’ record income tax increase, the state’s unemployment woes contrast starkly with the slow but positive...

The verdict is in: The tax hike failed – 3 reasons why

01/12/2012
One year after Illinois’ Democratic leaders pushed through a record tax hike, the grades are in. The tax hike flunked. It failed to put Illinois on sound fiscal footing. It failed at restoring confidence in government’s ability to meet serious challenges head on. It failed to strengthen the state’s economy. It failed to create opportunity...