House bill would cap growth in sky-high administrative spending at Illinois schools

By Vincent Caruso

02/14/2018

Illinois' spending on administrative costs is among the highest in the nation, sapping scarce dollars from the classroom. But a new bill would slow the growth in these expenses and align them with taxpayers' ability to pay.

TAGS: pensions, salaries, school district consolidation

Tax Olympics: Chicago tops the table on taxes and fees

By Chris Lentino

02/14/2018

In a comparative analysis of taxes and fees in the nation's top 15 cities, Chicago won first place more times than any other city.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, outmigration, population, property taxes, Rahm Emanuel, sales tax, taxes, wireless tax

Senate bill would ban tobacco products, e-cigarettes for Illinoisans under 21

By Vincent Caruso

01/31/2018

The bill would apply Chicago’s restriction on the smoking age to the entire state.

TAGS: Chicago, cigarette tax, e-cigarettes, Julie Morrison, regulations, Tobacco 21

Full month’s pay for a day’s work? New bill ends loophole for state lawmakers

By Brendan Bakala

01/30/2018

House Bill 4273 would eliminate a loophole in state law that allows lawmakers to receive a month's pay for a day of work.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, lawmaker pay, pensions

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

6 ways Illinois lawmakers can ease the property tax pain

By Vincent Caruso

01/26/2018

Illinoisans shoulder some of the highest property taxes in the country. This burden is key to understanding the state's outmigration problem. Despite the failure of lawmakers to reverse this crisis, there remain a number of sound reforms waiting for consideration.

TAGS: collective bargaining, consolidation, municipal pensions, pensions, prevailing wage, property taxes, school district consolidation, taxes, workers compensation

Decatur jobs loss in 2017 among the worst in Illinois

By Austin Berg

01/26/2018

Decatur is the fastest-shrinking city in the state since 2010, and saw some of the heaviest jobs losses among metro areas in 2017.

TAGS: Decatur, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Like a good neighbor: Illinois sees record loss of people to nearby states

By Austin Berg

01/04/2018

Solving Illinois’ people problem requires addressing the high cost of government, which makes the state far less attractive for people looking to plant roots.

TAGS: income tax, outmigration, pensions, population, property taxes, taxes

Freeze-out: Government union strike could cripple Chicago this winter

By Mailee Smith

01/04/2018

A potential strike by Teamsters Local 700 – which represents snowplow operators in Chicago – could have a disastrous impact on travel and safety in the city. Unlike neighboring states, Illinois law enshrines this “right to strike,” thereby giving government worker unions enormous power in bargaining.

TAGS: Chicago, collective bargaining, strike, Teamsters

Last-minute Christmas shopping? Illinoisans brace for sky-high sales taxes

By Vincent Caruso

12/21/2017

The holiday season is a time for giving. And, by the time Illinoisans complete their shopping, they’ll have given plenty – to state and local governments.

TAGS: sales tax

Midwestern United States

House bill would cap growth in sky-high administrative spending at Illinois schools

Tax Olympics: Chicago tops the table on taxes and fees

Senate bill would ban tobacco products, e-cigarettes for Illinoisans under 21

Full month’s pay for a day’s work? New bill ends loophole for state lawmakers

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

6 ways Illinois lawmakers can ease the property tax pain

Decatur jobs loss in 2017 among the worst in Illinois

Like a good neighbor: Illinois sees record loss of people to nearby states

Freeze-out: Government union strike could cripple Chicago this winter

Last-minute Christmas shopping? Illinoisans brace for sky-high sales taxes

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