Despite Illinois’ severe financial problems, less than 3 percent of bills passed by the 99th General Assembly and enacted into law have fiscal notes.

Under a 2015 agreement between the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and The Advisory Board Co., the state gave a tax credit worth millions of dollars in exchange for 55 jobs.

Streamlining the way Illinois buys goods and services could save the state $500 million annually.

In March, the Illinois Policy Institute released a report on the lack of fiscal notes – or legislative “price tags” – on legislative bills that passed the 97th General Assembly. Fiscal notes estimate the costs, savings and revenue gain or loss resulting from the implementation of proposed legislation. Crafted properly, fiscal notes can provide a wealth of...

A member of our community sent the following email to Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-Crystal Lake) and Gov. Pat Quinn. Subject: 6258 and 4% more the taxpayers will be on the hook for Mr. Franks, Ms. Althoff, Mr. Quinn, Although I agree that comprehensive pension reform must happen in Illinois, how can...

by Ashley Muchow Hats off to Governor Pat Quinn and State Senator Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry) for their vocal support of greater transparency and responsible financial decision making in Springfield. It comes in the wake of a recent Institute report that showed 97 percent of the bill’s awaiting the governor’s signature have no fiscal note attached. After the legislature’s unprecedented...