Pritzker’s $1.5B wish for cash quickly vanishes

By Bryce Hill

03/06/2025

The latest forecast from the Illinois General Assembly estimates Illinois will have $737 million to $1.2 billion less in revenue than Gov. J.B. Pritzker hopes to spend.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Pritzker pushes $13B pension benefit hike in his budget

By Bryce Hill

03/06/2025

Newer state employees would get a $13 billion pension benefit boost if Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal passes. What should be a minor fix is being used to create an even bigger Illinois pension mess.

TAGS: budget, Illinois, JB Pritzker

Pritzker’s $1.5B in wishful thinking might leave taxpayers poorer

By Patrick Andriesen

02/26/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s record $55.2 billion budget for 2026 relies on more than $1.55 billion in newly increased revenue estimates to cover cost. That optimism collides with state agencies’ and experts’ sober predictions, meaning taxpayers are again at risk?

Pritzker’s 2026 budget poses short-term fixes, sneaks in new “tax hike”

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

02/25/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s 2026 budget includes record spending, cuts to economic development and overreliance on short-term revenue tricks—including a cleverly hidden tax hike, leaving significant work for the state to reach financial stability.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Pritzker’s magic beans: Growing a record-setting $55B Illinois budget

By Bryce Hill

02/19/2025

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker invoked a fairy tale about magic beans and a giant during his annual state of the state and budget address. Too bad he forgot to take an ax to the giant, record-setting budget he has grown by $16.7 billion since taking office.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Pritzker at 50% approval ahead of Illinois budget address

By Dylan Sharkey

02/18/2025

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s favorability is at exactly 50% ahead of his annual budget address, a chance to win over the 46% of voters with an unfavorable opinion of him. But based on his history of aggressive spending and taxation, what are the odds?

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker

Gov. Pritzker hints no tax hikes or pension benefit spikes in 2026 state budget

By Dylan Sharkey, Patrick Andriesen

02/17/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said raising taxes or hiking pension benefits are not first choices for in his fiscal year 2026 budget. The governor said Illinois needs to “live within our means in this state.”

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, taxes

Vallas: Illinois’ woes say more about Pritzker, Johnson than Trump

By Paul Vallas

02/11/2025

Illinois leaders have built a legacy of massive government spending deficits, extortionate taxes, marauding criminals and failing schools. Instead of Trump-proofing Illinois, maybe we need to Pritzker- and Johnson-proof it.

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

By Mailee Smith

01/08/2025

Government unions posed threats to public welfare that were recognized by founders of the labor movement and by progressive icon Franklin D. Roosevelt. Those threats have become reality, with government union power dominating – especially in Illinois.

Who is running for judge in Illinois in 2024?

By Joe Tabor

10/17/2024

On Nov. 5 Illinoisans will vote to elect two Illinois Supreme Court justices and nine appellate court justices, and whether to retain four sitting appellate court justices.

TAGS: Election Day

JB Pritzker

Pritzker’s $1.5B wish for cash quickly vanishes

Pritzker pushes $13B pension benefit hike in his budget

Pritzker’s $1.5B in wishful thinking might leave taxpayers poorer

Pritzker’s 2026 budget poses short-term fixes, sneaks in new “tax hike”

Pritzker’s magic beans: Growing a record-setting $55B Illinois budget

Pritzker at 50% approval ahead of Illinois budget address

Gov. Pritzker hints no tax hikes or pension benefit spikes in 2026 state budget

Vallas: Illinois’ woes say more about Pritzker, Johnson than Trump

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

Who is running for judge in Illinois in 2024?

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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