Inauguration day: 5 pro-taxpayer reforms Pritzker should push in 2019

By Vincent Caruso

01/14/2019

The Land of Lincoln has a new governor, but the state’s deep-seated problems remain. Here are five reforms that newly inaugurated Gov. J.B. Pritzker could pursue to begin setting the state on the right fiscal path.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, Bruce Rauner, JB Pritzker, local government consolidation, pensions, school district consolidation, spending cap

How shock at McHenry County tax bills is fueling a revolution

12/21/2018

Frustration over high taxes and government waste in Illinois need more than an angry social media post or a moving van. Some residents of McHenry County, Illinois, acted, and are winning reforms.

TAGS: McHenry County, property taxes, taxes

Christmas wish list: 12 gifts for Illinois taxpayers in 2019

By Vincent Caruso

12/19/2018

In 2018, Springfield handed Illinoisans more of the same repackaged policy failures. Lawmakers in the coming year should tape to their desks this wish list of taxpayer-friendly reforms.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, criminal justice reform, education, graduated income tax, income tax, pensions, prison reform, progressive income tax, property taxes, school choice, school district consolidation, sentencing reform, spending cap, U.S. Census Bureau

Bipartisan township consolidation bill heads to governor’s desk

By Vincent Caruso

11/30/2018

The bill would make it easier for McHenry County residents to dissolve the county’s 17 townships at the ballot box – and find tax relief through cost savings.

TAGS: Allen Skillicorn, consolidation, David McSweeney, McHenry County, Sam Yingling, townships

McHenry County township consolidation bill advances to Senate floor

By Vincent Caruso

11/17/2018

The bill would make it easier for McHenry County residents to dissolve the county’s 17 townships at the ballot box – and find relief through tax savings.

TAGS: Allen Skillicorn, consolidation, David McSweeney, local government consolidation, McHenry County, Sam Yingling

Senate bill would strike car-sharing startups with new taxes, regulations

By Vincent Caruso

11/14/2018

With lobbyist backing, lawmakers passed a bill in May aimed at driving out competitors for rental car companies. Gov. Bruce Rauner rejected the bill, but lawmakers could revive it during veto session.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Getaround, Pam Althoff, regulations, Turo

Illinois township pensioners have collected nearly $300M over past 20 years

08/21/2018

While often regarded as a duplicative and unnecessary unit of government, former township employees in Illinois have banked more than $273 million in pension benefits since 1998.

TAGS: local government, local government consolidation, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, townships

Amid controversy, political township couple banks nearly $100K in pension benefits

08/17/2018

Voted out of office in 2017 amid allegations of patronage and waste, Algonquin Township’s former highway commissioner has since found work at neighboring townships – while collecting a handsome pension from his former employer.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, McHenry County

Rauner gives DuPage County green light to pursue consolidation effort

By Eddie Damstra

08/01/2018

A new law will allow DuPage County to dissolve its election commission and transfer its functions to the county clerk’s office, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, Bob Miller, Bruce Rauner, consolidation, DuPage County, local government consolidation

Algonquin Township denies taxpayers the choice to consolidate road district

07/17/2018

A new law gives townships the option to let voters abolish their road districts through referendum. But Algonquin Township trustees rejected a resolution that would have given taxpayers that choice.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, Bob Miller, consolidation, local government, local government consolidation

McHenry County

Inauguration day: 5 pro-taxpayer reforms Pritzker should push in 2019

How shock at McHenry County tax bills is fueling a revolution

Christmas wish list: 12 gifts for Illinois taxpayers in 2019

Bipartisan township consolidation bill heads to governor’s desk

McHenry County township consolidation bill advances to Senate floor

Senate bill would strike car-sharing startups with new taxes, regulations

Illinois township pensioners have collected nearly $300M over past 20 years

Amid controversy, political township couple banks nearly $100K in pension benefits

Rauner gives DuPage County green light to pursue consolidation effort

Algonquin Township denies taxpayers the choice to consolidate road district

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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