Illinoisans see less income after taxes than residents of all neighboring states

By Orphe Divounguy

10/23/2017

Illinoisans saw more than 30 percent of their income go to income taxes and property taxes from March 2015 to March 2016 – a higher share than residents of every bordering state.

TAGS: income tax, personal income, property taxes

Palatine workers have right to strike, but that doesn’t include right to continued benefits

By Mailee Smith

10/21/2017

Under Illinois law, government employees can choose to walk out on strike – but it carries risks. Striking workers give up wages and benefit contributions – and maybe even their jobs – when they walk out.

TAGS: strike, unions

Languishing contract negotiations show need for labor law reforms in Illinois

By Mailee Smith

09/22/2017

Government-worker unions can negotiate for months or even years without reaching a new contract, and can use negotiations to push for even cushier perks from pricier health insurance to paid time off for birthdays.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining

Illinois ranks 3rd-to-last in U.S. for state lawsuit climate

By Amy Korte

09/12/2017

Illinois ranked No. 48 of 50 states, and “Chicago or Cook County” was named the nation’s worst local jurisdiction in a survey of executives and attorneys about the fairness and reasonableness of state liability systems.

Indignation, action needed on Illinois’ jobs crisis

By Austin Berg

08/31/2017

Until Illinois lawmakers get serious about economic growth, don’t expect the state’s jobs trend to get off the depressing path it’s been treading for years.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, jobs, property taxes, unemployment, workers compensation

Stacked deck: Of all neighboring states, only Illinois gives strike powers to government unions

By Mailee Smith

08/31/2017

Illinois is the only state in the region that allows government workers to go on strike, effectively depriving residents of services they need and driving up the highest property tax bills in the nation.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, strike

Illinois House Speaker Madigan now the longest-serving state House speaker in U.S. history

By Austin Berg

08/10/2017

Madigan has now controlled his chamber as speaker for more than 11,900 days.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, term limits

Tax increases will cost back-to-school shoppers in Illinois

By Marianna Schmiesing

07/31/2017

Illinois parents will pay the Midwest’s highest sales taxes on back-to-school shopping.

TAGS: sales tax, taxes

Rauner signs bill prohibiting cost-of-living adjustments for lawmakers

By Amy Korte

07/27/2017

HB 643 will prevent the $50,000 daily cost of special sessions from rising even higher in fiscal year 2018.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Senate Bill 1, special session

Illinois cigarette tax money goes up in smoke

By John Kristof

07/26/2017

Illinois’ high cigarette tax is a flighty source of revenue with unintended consequences.

TAGS: cigarette tax, taxes

Iowa

Illinoisans see less income after taxes than residents of all neighboring states

Palatine workers have right to strike, but that doesn’t include right to continued benefits

Languishing contract negotiations show need for labor law reforms in Illinois

Illinois ranks 3rd-to-last in U.S. for state lawsuit climate

Indignation, action needed on Illinois’ jobs crisis

Stacked deck: Of all neighboring states, only Illinois gives strike powers to government unions

Illinois House Speaker Madigan now the longest-serving state House speaker in U.S. history

Tax increases will cost back-to-school shoppers in Illinois

Rauner signs bill prohibiting cost-of-living adjustments for lawmakers

Illinois cigarette tax money goes up in smoke

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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