‘Fair tax’ backers’ own data show progressive income tax hikes harm middle class the most

By Vincent Caruso

05/10/2019

An advocacy group backing Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” plan has argued a progressive income tax hike won’t affect middle-class Illinoisans. But its most recent report shows a middle-class tax hit is likely.

TAGS: CTBA: Center for Budget and Tax Accountability, fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes

Report: Chicago area most corrupt in nation

By Vincent Caruso

02/13/2019

Chicagoland and northern Illinois have seen more corrupt public officials put behind bars than any other part of the nation, an analysis found.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

By Adam Schuster

02/04/2019

Gov. J.B. Pritzker inherited a $2.8 billion budget deficit the moment he stepped into office. Next year, that deficit is projected to be $3.4 billion1. It’s the same story every budget season. But Illinois’ budget crises could be a thing of the past if the state would adopt pension reform, right-size its union contracts and...

House hunters: How high taxes hurt home investment in Illinois

By Orphe Divounguy, Suman Chattopadhyay, Bryce Hill

09/17/2018

Without property and income tax relief, housing in Illinois will continue to be less attractive, Illinois’ population is likely to continue its decline and housing price appreciation can be expected to continue to lag the rest of the nation.

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.

Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.

By Brendan Bakala

02/02/2017

Illinois politicians burden the state’s residents with the highest combined state and average local sales tax rate in the Midwest, along with numerous other taxes and fees.

TAGS: sales tax, taxes

Ex-offenders less likely to quit their jobs, no more likely to be fired than other employees

By Amy Korte

12/02/2016

Although a new study by Northwestern University researchers shows ex-offenders can make good hires, obstacles such as negligent-hiring liability hinder employers willing to give ex-offenders a chance.

TAGS: ban the box, criminal justice reform, expungement, record sealing, reentry

June jobs report: Illinois workforce shrinks by 36,000, working-age adults leaving the state

By Michael Lucci

07/22/2016

The month of June saw Illinois continue to lose jobs, as the state’s long-term economic woes continue to push workers out of the state.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, manufacturing, workers compensation

Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

04/22/2016

Nearly 25 percent of Illinois school districts serve just one school, and over one-third of all school districts have fewer than 600 students.

How business-liability reform can help encourage ex-offender employment

By Bryant Jackson-Green

04/07/2016

With the right liability reforms, Illinois can protect businesses and make them more likely to give ex-offenders a chance at employment.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, jobs

Louisiana

‘Fair tax’ backers’ own data show progressive income tax hikes harm middle class the most

Report: Chicago area most corrupt in nation

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

House hunters: How high taxes hurt home investment in Illinois

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

Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.

Ex-offenders less likely to quit their jobs, no more likely to be fired than other employees

June jobs report: Illinois workforce shrinks by 36,000, working-age adults leaving the state

Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens

How business-liability reform can help encourage ex-offender employment

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