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

Illinoisans suffer, politicians get paid

By Austin Berg

07/17/2016

Illinois lawmakers earn base salaries of nearly $68,000 for what is essentially part-time work.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, John Cullerton, Kim Lightford, lawmaker pay, Mike Madigan, Pat Quinn

Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget

By Hilary Gowins

06/30/2016

The stopgap budget compromise reached between the General Assembly and Gov. Bruce Rauner will fund government operations for the next six months and ensure that schools open on time in the fall.

Illinois legislators introduce bills to kill the state charter school commission

11/14/2013

The state charter school commission is under attack. State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora, has contempt for the state charter school commission, even though she voted for its creation more than two years ago. It was on full display the last time Jeanne Nowaczewski – the commission’s executive director – appeared in front of the...

TAGS: Charter Authorizer Task Force, charter schools, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, Jeanne Nowaczewski, Kimberly Lightford, Linda Chapa LaVia, school choice, vouchers

IL State Senate votes to end legislative scholarship program

05/04/2012

Yesterday, the Illinois State Senate voted 43-5-5 to end a controversial legislative scholarship program that had been abused multiple times by elected officials. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

Illinois Senate Considers Raising Minimum Wage

01/31/2011

Illinois Senator Kimberly Lightford introduced legislation that would raise the minimum wage by 50 cents plus the rate of inflation annually until it reached the equivalent of $1.60 per hour in 1968.

TAGS: minimum wage

Weakening FOIA

04/20/2010

HB5154 would threaten transparency in Illinois government by prohibiting the release of any public employee's performance evaluation.

Kimberly Lightford

Rauner vetoes permanent tax hikes, Senate overrides

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

Illinoisans suffer, politicians get paid

Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget

Illinois legislators introduce bills to kill the state charter school commission

IL State Senate votes to end legislative scholarship program

Illinois Senate Considers Raising Minimum Wage

Weakening FOIA

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