Comptroller halts funding for state IT modernization program

03/15/2017

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is suspending funding for a technology initiative Gov. Bruce Rauner has said would save taxpayer money and promote efficiency, data security and transparency in state government.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Illinois Comptroller, Susana Mendoza

Fact-checking Rahm: Students have been leaving Illinois for at least 15 years

By Madelyn Harwood

03/13/2017

Uncertainty about skyrocketing tuition costs, rising taxes, and other factors are the likeliest culprits of Illinois’ student out-migration crisis.

TAGS: Chicago, education, outmigration, population, Rahm Emanuel

Illinois Medicaid expansion costs are already double initial projections

By Jonathan Ingram

03/09/2017

Between 2014 and 2016, Illinois’ Medicaid expansion cost $4.6 billion more than its supporters had forecasted, crowding out services for Illinois’ most vulnerable residents.

TAGS: budget, health care, Medicaid

Illinois politicians dub March 8 ‘Cubs Day’ despite contentious history

03/09/2017

Springfield lawmakers passed a ceremonial resolution March 8 congratulating the Chicago Cubs on winning the 2016 World Series. But that pat on the back doesn’t make up for the adversarial relationship politicians have held with the Cubs and other professional sports franchises in Chicago.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago Cubs, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan, regulations

Lisa Madigan moves to shut down state government

By Austin Berg

01/27/2017

Attempts to cut off state worker pay need not end in a tax hike.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, budget, John Cullerton, lawmaker pay, Lisa Madigan, Mike Madigan, Pat Quinn, state worker pay, Susana Mendoza

Illinois extends failed corporate tax credit program

01/23/2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an extension of the EDGE tax credit program, though the program has an unsuccessful record of using taxpayer money.

TAGS: cronyism, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, tax credits, taxes

Illinois’ executive clemency record proves need for sealing reform

By Hilary Gowins

12/16/2016

Illinois governors don’t just pass on debt to their successors – they also leave behind a backlog of petitions for clemency.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, criminal justice reform, expungement, Pat Quinn, record sealing

Illinois lawmakers are suing the state for their paychecks

By Austin Berg

12/02/2016

A group of state representatives has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger.

TAGS: Kate Cloonen, Leslie Munger

Reps. Franks and McSweeney look to tackle lame-duck tax hikes

By Austin Berg

12/02/2016

Lame-duck session allows lawmakers already ousted by voters to act with reckless abandon before leaving the Statehouse.

TAGS: David McSweeney, Jack Franks, lame duck session

Village of Barrington to resist Cook County minimum wage hike

11/28/2016

The northwest suburb of Barrington passed an ordinance to allow local businesses to forgo Cook County’s minimum wage hike, which has the potential to be devastating for jobs in the county.

TAGS: Cook County, minimum wage

Pat Quinn

Comptroller halts funding for state IT modernization program

Fact-checking Rahm: Students have been leaving Illinois for at least 15 years

Illinois Medicaid expansion costs are already double initial projections

Illinois politicians dub March 8 ‘Cubs Day’ despite contentious history

Lisa Madigan moves to shut down state government

Illinois extends failed corporate tax credit program

Illinois’ executive clemency record proves need for sealing reform

Illinois lawmakers are suing the state for their paychecks

Reps. Franks and McSweeney look to tackle lame-duck tax hikes

Village of Barrington to resist Cook County minimum wage hike

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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