Illinoisans saw jobs growth plummet after 2017 tax hike

By Orphe Divounguy, Austin Berg, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

01/22/2018

Illinois' jobs growth trailed that of the nation during the first half of 2017, then slowed to a halt in the wake of the General Assembly's record-breaking tax hike.

TAGS: income tax, jobs, property taxes, taxes, unemployment

Illinois Senate passes Chicago bailout, overrides Rauner’s amendatory veto

By Austin Berg

08/13/2017

All Senate Democrats and one Republican voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner and pass Senate Bill 1 in its original form, including a bailout for Chicago Public Schools.

TAGS: Andy Manar, Bruce Rauner, education, Illinois Senate, Senate Bill 1, veto

Rauner vetoes permanent tax hikes, Senate overrides

By Austin Berg

07/04/2017

The Illinois General Assembly passed a budget, including the largest permanent tax hike in state history, without structural spending reforms. Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the plan on Independence Day, and the Senate voted to override the governor’s veto. The package now heads to the House for an override vote.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Illinois Senate, income tax, John Cullerton, taxes, Toi Hutchinson

Illinois Senate passes permanent income tax hike to governor’s desk

By Austin Berg

07/04/2017

The Illinois Senate on July 4 approved the House’s budget plan, which Gov. Bruce Rauner has said he will veto.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Illinois Senate, income tax, John Cullerton, taxes, Toi Hutchinson

Hastert will continue receiving $28K pension from Illinois lawmakers’ pension fund

By Amy Korte

04/29/2016

Despite being sentenced to 15 months in prison for a financial crime intended to cover up his sexual abuse of high school students, former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert will continue to receive $28,000 annual pension payments for his six years as an Illinois state representative.

TAGS: corruption, GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, pensions

Rauner signs bill aimed at cutting red tape for small businesses

By Heather Weiner

08/19/2015

The new law encourages state agencies to weed out rules and regulations that hurt Illinois' entrepreneurs.

TAGS: regulations, small business

Quinn’s former deputy chief of staff gets $117K a year pension bump in ‘error’

By Brian Costin

05/16/2014

As the Illinois General Assembly is nearing a vote on Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposal to extend the income tax hike, which will cost the average taxpayer about $1,100 per year, a WGN-TV investigation revealed one of Quinn’s former top staffers is the beneficiary of a $117,000 pension error. Brown Hodge, former Deputy Chief of Staff...

Virtual school moratorium bill moves to the Senate

03/31/2013

The Illinois House took another step in the wrong direction last week by passing an amendment to House Bill 494, which institutes a one-year moratorium on new charter schools with virtual learning components located outside of Chicago.

TAGS: digital learning, moratorium

Capitol Updates: April 15 week in review

03/31/2013

The progressive tax, medical marijuana and multidistrict virtual charter schools

Capitol Updates: Legislative preview for the week of April 22

By Jane McEnaney

03/31/2013

The Illinois Senate is in session this week though the House is in recess until April 29. The Senate deadline for the third reading of substantive bills is on Thursday, April 25 meaning that all Senate bills must be voted on by the full Senate Chamber by Thursday. Otherwise bills will be sent back...

Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant

Illinoisans saw jobs growth plummet after 2017 tax hike

Illinois Senate passes Chicago bailout, overrides Rauner’s amendatory veto

Rauner vetoes permanent tax hikes, Senate overrides

Illinois Senate passes permanent income tax hike to governor’s desk

Hastert will continue receiving $28K pension from Illinois lawmakers’ pension fund

Rauner signs bill aimed at cutting red tape for small businesses

Quinn’s former deputy chief of staff gets $117K a year pension bump in ‘error’

Virtual school moratorium bill moves to the Senate

Capitol Updates: April 15 week in review

Capitol Updates: Legislative preview for the week of April 22

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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