Border war: In Quad Cities, Illinois shrinks as Iowa grows

By Austin Berg

02/23/2018

The Quad Cities are a case study in how the Land of Lincoln is lagging behind its neighbors.

TAGS: outmigration, property taxes, Quad Cities

Metro East median property taxes rank in the top 50 highest in Illinois

By Eric Kohn

05/11/2017

High property taxes in the Metro East region are fueling out-migration from the area.

TAGS: Metro East, outmigration, population, property taxes

Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k

By Eric Kohn

04/13/2017

Though the median household income in Belleville is only $43,318, Belleville Township School District 201’s top administrators are making six-figure salaries.

TAGS: Andrea Gannon, Belleville, Belleville Township School District 201, Brian Mentzer, education, Jeff Dosier, Melissa Taylor, Metro East, property taxes, Rich Mertens, St. Clair County, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

The shrinking Metro East

By Brendan Bakala

04/10/2017

St. Clair and Madison counties saw combined population losses of more than 1,600 people due to out-migration to other states.

TAGS: Madison County, Metro East, Missouri, Monroe County, outmigration, population, St. Clair County, St. Louis, U.S. Census Bureau

Many St. Clair County residents would face higher sales tax rates than Chicago if sales tax proposals pass

By Lea Thoele

04/04/2017

If voters approve proposals to raise St. Clair County sales taxes by a combined 2 percent, people in some parts of St. Clair County would face total sales taxes of over 11 percent.

TAGS: sales tax, St. Clair County, taxes

In Quad Cities, Illinois shrinks while Iowa grows

By Michael Lucci

02/22/2017

The communities in the Quad Cities are nearly identical, but Illinoisans are fleeing to Iowa’s side from the Land of Lincoln’s side, showing just how severe Illinois’ out-migration crisis is.

TAGS: collective bargaining, outmigration, population, taxes

Fulton mayor arrested for theft of city funds

By Illinois News Network

08/22/2016

Mayor Larry Russell was charged in Whiteside County on one count of stealing $764 from a city bank account.

Illinois has zero private-sector jobs growth in the 21st century

By Michael Lucci

05/10/2016

Illinois is one of four states in the entire U.S. to have fewer private sector jobs today compared to the turn of the century. The Land of Lincoln needs pro-growth reforms to allow the state’s private sector to rise again.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

State and local policy solutions can help Granite City keep Steel in town

By Michael Lucci

03/25/2015

Illinois municipalities that are tired of seeing their manufacturing base hollowed out can take action to end the exodus.

TAGS: jobs, right to work

Illinois corruption watch, June 2014

By Brian Costin, Anthony Trania

07/09/2014

Unfortunately for taxpayers, June was a groundbreaking month for corruption in Illinois. In June alone, there were reports of 85 corruption-related stories in the state. Some of the record-breaking highlights include the following: For the first time in 33 years, the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission exercised its subpoena powers in the issuance of a subpoena...

Mississippi River

Border war: In Quad Cities, Illinois shrinks as Iowa grows

Metro East median property taxes rank in the top 50 highest in Illinois

Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k

The shrinking Metro East

Many St. Clair County residents would face higher sales tax rates than Chicago if sales tax proposals pass

In Quad Cities, Illinois shrinks while Iowa grows

Fulton mayor arrested for theft of city funds

Illinois has zero private-sector jobs growth in the 21st century

State and local policy solutions can help Granite City keep Steel in town

Illinois corruption watch, June 2014

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