Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system

By Amy Korte

07/19/2018

Illinois should take steps toward more accurate and frequent property assessments to ensure the tax burden is distributed as fairly as possible.

More than 75 years later, Illinois’ fireworks ban still law of the land

By Austin Berg

07/05/2018

Next year, state lawmakers should explore making rockets’ red glare a legal pastime instead of a liability.

TAGS: fireworks ban

Bottle racket: Illinois’ high alcohol taxes boost cost of Independence Day celebrations

By Eddie Damstra

07/03/2018

The Land of Lincoln has some of the highest alcohol taxes in the Midwest. And Illinoisans preparing for Independence Day are feeling the pinch.

TAGS: alcohol tax, craft beer, liquor laws, taxes

Michigan becomes latest Illinois neighbor to repeal prevailing wage mandate

By Eddie Damstra

06/08/2018

Michigan nixed a law mandating inflated wages for public construction projects. The Prairie State should follow suit.

TAGS: construction, Michigan, prevailing wage

General Assembly passes bill expanding medical marijuana access as opioid alternative

By Eddie Damstra

06/07/2018

Lawmakers in Springfield are seeking to offer patients with debilitating conditions the option to replace opioids with medical marijuana.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, marijuana

Two things Illinois homeowners should know about the property tax assessment process

By illinoispolicy

05/21/2018

Inaccuracy and unfairness in the property tax assessment process mean some homeowners, especially those in poorer areas, pay a disproportionate share of the overall tax burden.

Bill to rein in state health care costs killed in the Senate

By Mailee Smith

04/27/2018

Senate Democrats killed a chance this week to rein in government spending, instead siding with government unions that prioritize their own power over the fiscal health of the state. Illinois taxpayers pay nearly $15,000 per state worker in health care costs alone under the most recent contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bill Brady, collective bargaining, health care, state worker pay

Budget Solutions 2019: The responsible budget for Illinois

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

02/06/2018

Even after a 32 percent income tax hike, the Illinois General Assembly passed a state budget in 2017 that will generate an estimated $1.5 billion deficit in fiscal year 2018. That deficit is projected to grow to $2.15 billion in fiscal year 2019, according to the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, or GOMB. The...

Thank you for smoking: Illinois’ cigarette taxes fourth-highest in the Midwest

By Vincent Caruso

01/29/2018

The Land of Lincoln's addiction to regressive "sin taxes" burns more and more of Illinoisans' incomes.

TAGS: sales tax, taxes

IRS: Illinois saw net loss of 101,000 people to neighboring states since 2010

By Vincent Caruso

01/10/2018

Illinois’ failure to keep and attract residents is driving the Land of Lincoln’s population decline.

TAGS: IRS: Internal Revenue Service, outmigration, population

Michigan

Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system

More than 75 years later, Illinois’ fireworks ban still law of the land

Bottle racket: Illinois’ high alcohol taxes boost cost of Independence Day celebrations

Michigan becomes latest Illinois neighbor to repeal prevailing wage mandate

General Assembly passes bill expanding medical marijuana access as opioid alternative

Two things Illinois homeowners should know about the property tax assessment process

Bill to rein in state health care costs killed in the Senate

Budget Solutions 2019: The responsible budget for Illinois

Thank you for smoking: Illinois’ cigarette taxes fourth-highest in the Midwest

IRS: Illinois saw net loss of 101,000 people to neighboring states since 2010

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