Pritzker blames Trump for cuts, but Illinois is high risk for recession

By Dylan Sharkey

09/26/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said state agencies need to trim 4%, blaming President Donald Trump and a slowing national economy. Illinois’ economic woes started long before Trump.

TAGS: Donald Trump, JB Pritzker

Pritzker seeks credit upgrades despite growing pension debt, budget deficits

By Adam Schuster

08/17/2021

Pension debt is a record $144.2 billion while Illinois’ short-term debt is on track to reach $22 billion in three years, exceeding the record $16.7 billion hit during the budget impasse.

TAGS: credit rating, debt, JB Pritzker, pensions

Moody’s report: Illinois pension debt reaches record-high $317 billion

By Adam Schuster

03/05/2021

Illinois worst-in-the-nation public pension debt grew 19% year over year. It will continue hurting the state economy and job growth, driving more people out of Illinois, unless there are reforms.

TAGS: debt, Moody's Investor Service, pensions, public sector

Hidden pension ‘tax’ costs each Illinoisan more than $1,400 per year

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

03/02/2021

Illinoisans pay a hidden pension tax. Eliminating that cost would free up resources to help Illinois recover from the COVID-19 recession while also raising the state’s long-term economic potential.

TAGS: pensions, public sector, taxes

Illinois first to rely on ‘lender of last resort’ borrowing from Federal Reserve

By Adam Schuster

06/19/2020

Illinois' credit rating is just one notch above junk, the lowest of any U.S. state.

TAGS: borrowing, credit, Federal Reserve, JB Pritzker, Municipal Lending Facility

Why Congress should reject Illinois’ $44 billion bailout request

By Adam Schuster

04/23/2020

Two decades of fiscal mismanagement have left state finances ill-prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress should condition any additional aid for troubled states on taxpayer protections that ensure pensions are solvent, accounting is realistic and budgets are balanced.

TAGS: bailout, budget, coronavirus, COVID-19, debt, Don Harmon, JB Pritzker, pensions, U.S. Congress

Report: Illinois’ budget health is the worst in the nation

By Adam Schuster

10/17/2018

A new university study ranks Illinois last of all 50 states for fiscal health. Pension reform and spending caps are essential for recovery.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, income tax, pensions, taxes

Property-tax-for-pensions plan would pummel Illinois homeowners

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

05/25/2018

With one proposal to pay off Illinois’ pension debt asking the typical homeowner to pay more than $1,900 in additional property taxes for the next 30 years, the stakes for pension reform have never been clearer.

Illinois politicians’ remedy for state flirting with recession? Multibillion-dollar tax hikes

By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner

02/08/2017

A new report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shows Illinois has experienced falling tax collections, which may indicate trouble in the state economy; spending reforms – not tax hikes – are what Illinois needs to right its fiscal ship and boost economic growth.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Christine Radogno, corporate income tax, income tax, John Cullerton, Medicaid, pensions, property taxes, sales tax, taxes

Gov. Quinn’s past State of the State addresses vs. reality

By Donovan Griffith

01/28/2014

This Wednesday, Gov. Pat Quinn will take the pulpit in front of the Illinois General Assembly and give his annual State of the State address. The speech, which is given annually by the standing governor, is an opportunity for the governor to give his view on the condition of the state, and how they envision...

TAGS: Pat Quinn, State of the State

Moody's Analytics

Pritzker blames Trump for cuts, but Illinois is high risk for recession

Pritzker seeks credit upgrades despite growing pension debt, budget deficits

Moody’s report: Illinois pension debt reaches record-high $317 billion

Hidden pension ‘tax’ costs each Illinoisan more than $1,400 per year

Illinois first to rely on ‘lender of last resort’ borrowing from Federal Reserve

Why Congress should reject Illinois’ $44 billion bailout request

Report: Illinois’ budget health is the worst in the nation

Property-tax-for-pensions plan would pummel Illinois homeowners

Illinois politicians’ remedy for state flirting with recession? Multibillion-dollar tax hikes

Gov. Quinn’s past State of the State addresses vs. reality

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