In early June, Gov. Pat Quinn called lawmakers to return to Springfield on June 19 for a one-day special session on pension reform. This came in the wake of yet another downgrade of Illinois’ credit as a result of inaction on pension reform when the legislative session adjourned on May 31. Our most recent knocks from Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings  mark Illinois’ 12th...

There are four days of legislative session remaining, during which time state lawmakers will debate many important issues that affect taxpayers in the state of Illinois. Here is what you need to know going into the last week of session. No budget … yet At this point in session, a state budget proposal is usually...

This was an eventful week in Springfield. Though pension negotiations between House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton remain at an impasse, the General Assembly passedSenate Bill 2356, which raises the speed limit on Illinois’ tollways and interstates to 70 mph, up from 65 mph. Gov. Pat Quinn remains noncommittal on this issue. Here’s a look at some of the legislative...

Both chambers were in session this week in Springfield. Moratorium on virtual schools passes out of committee On Tuesday afternoon, House Bill 494 passed out of the Senate Subcommittee on Charter Schools and was subsequently approved by the full Senate Education Committee. The Illinois Policy Institute’s Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen and Director of Education Reform Josh Dwyer attended both...