School district sues Mount Prospect, Ill., over TIF

By Chris Lentino

07/20/2017

The case against Mount Prospect, Ill., shows how tax increment financing districts siphon tax money from school districts and other taxing bodies, and diverts needed resources and puts pressure on taxpayers to make up the difference.

TAGS: education, property taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Illinois Republican spending plan packed with millions in waste

By John Kristof

06/29/2017

Despite calls for new taxes from Republican lawmakers, Senate Bill 2216 contains funding for several grants across the state.

TAGS: Bill Brady, budget

Illinois Republican spending plan includes millions of dollars for suburban projects

By John Kristof

06/28/2017

Affluent communities would receive millions in grants under a Republican spending plan.

TAGS: budget

More than 50 municipalities have opted out of Cook County’s minimum wage hike, sick days mandate

By Amy Korte

06/26/2017

Municipal leaders have expressed concerns about the anti-competitive, job-killing effects of Cook County’s minimum wage increases and new sick leave law and are using home rule authority to exempt their communities from the requirements.

TAGS: Cook County, jobs, minimum wage, unemployment

Chervon North America to move headquarters to Illinois

By Brendan Bakala

01/13/2017

The company plans on moving its white-collar workforce to Naperville, while keeping its manufacturing plant in Michigan.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, unemployment, workers compensation

This Christmas, property taxes are robbing the McCallisters

By Austin Berg

12/22/2015

The fictional family from “Home Alone” has paid nearly $750,000 in property taxes since the film’s release, and real Illinois families are struggling under a massive local tax burden.

TAGS: property taxes

Legislative Agenda for Entrepreneurs: An update on Illinois’ comeback story

By Michael Lucci

05/04/2015

The bipartisan path toward putting entrepreneurs first.

TAGS: small business, taxes

Illinois state reps sponsor bills to fix business fees, tax code

By Michael Lucci

03/16/2015

Reforms to LLC fees and the corporate franchise tax would be a great start for building a better business environment in Illinois, especially for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

TAGS: fees

Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2014

By Brian Costin

12/07/2014

In November, 13 of 53 Corruption Watch stories were related to policies and actions of criminal-justice authorities in Illinois.

TAGS: Chicago

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...

Mount Prospect

School district sues Mount Prospect, Ill., over TIF

Illinois Republican spending plan packed with millions in waste

Illinois Republican spending plan includes millions of dollars for suburban projects

More than 50 municipalities have opted out of Cook County’s minimum wage hike, sick days mandate

Chervon North America to move headquarters to Illinois

This Christmas, property taxes are robbing the McCallisters

Legislative Agenda for Entrepreneurs: An update on Illinois’ comeback story

Illinois state reps sponsor bills to fix business fees, tax code

Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2014

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