Emanuel’s building proposal misses the mark on Chicago zoning reform

By Mark Adams

02/26/2016

While the mayor is right to say that expanding the downtown development area is a “win-win” for developers and poor communities, expanding downtown without the mayor’s proposed new tax on developers and inflexible size restrictions would be a bigger win for both.

TAGS: taxes

42% of Illinoisans would like to move to another state, Gallup poll shows

By Amy Korte

02/17/2016

A recent Gallup poll found residents in states with higher tax burdens are more likely to want to move. Illinoisans are the third-most-likely to say they would prefer to move permanently to another state.

TAGS: Gallup, outmigration

Chicago’s new cigarette tax will lead to more black-market sales and violence, alderman say

By Chris Lentino

02/09/2016

South and West Side aldermen believe that an increase in the tobacco tax will lead to an increase in black-market sales and violence. They're right.

TAGS: Chicago, cigarette tax, taxes

Chicago teachers highest paid among nation’s 50 largest school districts

By Amy Korte

02/05/2016

Among the U.S.’ 50 largest school districts, CPS teachers’ pay ranks No. 1 for teachers with a bachelor’s degree and five years’ experience, No. 2 for first-year teachers with a bachelor’s degree, and No. 3 for first-year teachers with a master’s degree.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Madigan’s budget solution is to make Illinois the most heavily taxed state in the Midwest

By Michael Lucci

01/28/2016

Instead of spending reform and policies to promote economic growth, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan proposes the same high-taxing, big-spending plans that got Illinois into its current fiscal mess.

TAGS: taxes

2011 income-tax hike turned Illinois into a top 5 state for total tax burden, new study shows

By Michael Lucci

01/21/2016

Illinoisans handed over a larger portion of their earnings to state and local governments than did taxpayers in 45 lower-tax states in fiscal year 2012, according to a new Tax Foundation study.

Illinois is unprepared for the next recession

By Ted Dabrowski

01/15/2016

Sky-high debt and a meager rainy day fund make Illinois the second-least prepared state in the U.S. for its capacity to weather a recession.

TAGS: food stamps, jobs, manufacturing, pensions

Illinois lost more population than any other state last year

By Mark Fitton

12/23/2015

Of the 50 states, Illinois was the top population loser.

TAGS: outmigration

The Chicago squeeze: Property taxes, fees and over 30 individual taxes crush city residents

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

12/08/2015

Chicagoans are the most-taxed residents of any major city in Illinois and pay the 10th-highest property taxes compared to taxpayers in other large U.S. cities.

How to heal Illinois’ economy: Reform permission, friction and preparation policies

By Michael Lucci

11/25/2015

Illinois can implement several reforms now to remove obstacles to starting businesses, reduce the cost and aggravation of doing business, and more effectively educate the next generation of workers.

TAGS: jobs

New York

Emanuel’s building proposal misses the mark on Chicago zoning reform

42% of Illinoisans would like to move to another state, Gallup poll shows

Chicago’s new cigarette tax will lead to more black-market sales and violence, alderman say

Chicago teachers highest paid among nation’s 50 largest school districts

Madigan’s budget solution is to make Illinois the most heavily taxed state in the Midwest

2011 income-tax hike turned Illinois into a top 5 state for total tax burden, new study shows

Illinois is unprepared for the next recession

Illinois lost more population than any other state last year

The Chicago squeeze: Property taxes, fees and over 30 individual taxes crush city residents

How to heal Illinois’ economy: Reform permission, friction and preparation policies

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