Why Illinois lawmakers can and should withdraw the progressive income tax hike

By Bryce Hill

04/09/2020

State lawmakers in 2019 passed a progressive income tax amendment at the behest of Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Now that coronavirus has ravaged the state’s small business community, they should withdraw the amendment.

TAGS: corporate income tax, Don Harmon, fair tax, graduated income tax, Illinois Constitution, progressive income tax, small business

Bribery charge, resignations hit prominent players in red-light camera scandal

03/09/2020

A Cook County commissioner quits as a former city administrator faces a bribery charge. Both played roles in the rise of red-light cameras and vendor SafeSpeed.

TAGS: Chicago Department of Aviation, conflict of interest, Cook County, corruption, IDOT: Illinois Department of Transportation, Jeff Tobolski, Lyons, Martin Sandoval, McCook, Oak Brook, Patrick Doherty, red light cameras, SafeSpeed, Toni Preckwinkle

Top Cook County official latest indicted in connection to red-light camera industry

By Vincent Caruso

02/14/2020

A high-ranking Cook County political operative moonlighting as a sales agent for a red-light camera company is the latest politician accused of bribery in a sprawling federal corruption probe.

TAGS: corruption, federal investigation, red light cameras

Oak Lawn credit rating hits junk status amid skyrocketing pension costs

By Brad Weisenstein

01/07/2020

Massive increases in public safety pension contributions have failed to keep Oak Lawn’s credit from being downgraded to junk status. The Chicago suburb’s leaders are fighting cuts and tax increases, which are inevitable without pension reform in Springfield.

TAGS: credit rating, firefighter pensions, IDOI: Illinois Department of Insurance, Moody's Investor Service, municipal pensions, Oak Lawn, police pensions, public safety

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

By Austin Berg

11/11/2019

Government corruption is nothing new for Illinoisans. Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, according to research by the University of Illinois-Chicago. And corruption costs the state economy more than $550 million per year. What is new? Powerful Illinois lawmakers, Chicago aldermen, local mayors and business interests are involved in what appears to be...

Illinois red-light cameras have collected more than $1B from drivers since 2008

By Austin Berg

10/14/2019

Red-light cameras are taking more and more money from Illinois motorists. But dubious safety benefits, a cloud of corruption and a bipartisan bill in Springfield may combine to take them off the streets.

Cash-strapped Illinois counties chase down unpaid tickets from 1980s

08/01/2019

Illinois counties are hiring debt collectors to track down people who may owe money for older, unpaid traffic tickets. One woman accused of owing money would have been just 14 when the ticket was issued.

Pensions, debt push Oak Lawn toward ‘junk’ credit rating

By Vincent Caruso

10/21/2018

The Chicago suburb is facing severe fiscal challenges brought about by its unsustainable pension burden and $75 million in debt – a trend that has become too common among Illinois municipalities.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, municipal pensions, Oak Lawn, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes

When taxes hit home(s)

By Austin Berg

09/20/2018

Making Illinois a more attractive state in which to plant roots is entirely within lawmakers’ control.

TAGS: homeownership, income tax, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes

Manufacturer to shutter 2 Illinois plants, open $26M Indiana facility

By Vincent Caruso

09/19/2018

Accepting a deal that includes $6 million in subsidies, Wynright Corporation will expand its operations in Indiana and close plants in suburban Elk Grove and Oak Lawn.

TAGS: Indiana, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, jobs, manufacturing, outmigration, unemployment

Oak Lawn

Why Illinois lawmakers can and should withdraw the progressive income tax hike

Bribery charge, resignations hit prominent players in red-light camera scandal

Top Cook County official latest indicted in connection to red-light camera industry

Oak Lawn credit rating hits junk status amid skyrocketing pension costs

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

Illinois red-light cameras have collected more than $1B from drivers since 2008

Cash-strapped Illinois counties chase down unpaid tickets from 1980s

Pensions, debt push Oak Lawn toward ‘junk’ credit rating

When taxes hit home(s)

Manufacturer to shutter 2 Illinois plants, open $26M Indiana facility

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