Polling of likely voters shows why some Democratic Illinois House members could regret voting for the governor’s graduated income tax.

A proposal in the Illinois House would stop local government leaders from using public resources to fight efforts to consolidate any government unit.

Illinois is one of just a handful of states that double-taxes people when they die by imposing its own estate tax atop the federal tax. A bill that would repeal Illinois’ estate tax could save family farms.

The proposal would lower all local governments’ property tax levies by 10 percent and then freeze them in Illinois. Any future increase would require voter approval.

Former Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the bill before leaving office, but bipartisan support in the General Assembly may send it back to the governor’s desk.

Red-light cameras generated lots of traffic ticket revenue for local government without proof they made roads safer. One Illinois House bill would ban them from certain municipalities, but another would ban them statewide.

Taxpayers across Illinois oppose a progressive tax but many state lawmakers still refuse to stand up against House Speaker Mike Madigan’s progressive tax push.

A House bill that would allow communities to consolidate local township governments has earned support from both parties – and the opposition of township officials.