Rauner’s school funding changes are a win for 97 percent of Illinois districts

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

08/12/2017

All Illinois school districts would receive more state money than last year.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, Senate Bill 1, veto

Illinois’ jobs growth worse than every neighboring state

By Austin Berg, Kevin Angell

07/28/2017

Illinois’ jobs growth over the past year was 40 percent slower than the national average, and lagged even further behind the average of neighboring states.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Illinois’ $5B tax hike will be eaten up by this year’s pension payment

By Austin Berg

07/20/2017

Illinoisans can take a look at their paystubs and notice the state decided to hike their income tax bill by 32 percent.

TAGS: income tax, pensions, property taxes

Rockford receives credit downgrade as pension debt grows

By Robert Brutvan

07/12/2017

As pension debt mounts, Moody’s Investors Services has downgraded the city of Rockford to an A2 rating.

TAGS: downgrade, pensions, Rockford

A property tax freeze isn’t enough

By Austin Berg

06/08/2017

One in six Illinois homeowners are seriously underwater.

TAGS: housing, property taxes

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

By Madelyn Harwood

05/17/2017

By fixing cost drivers, decreasing the cost of doing business in Illinois, and easing the tax burden, Illinois can encourage jobs growth and stand a better chance at attracting and retaining younger people.

Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world

03/22/2017

State and local tax hikes in Illinois have hurt economic growth, lowered the standard of living, and contributed to out-migration.

TAGS: Brad Stephens, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, mayor, property taxes, Rosemont

‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M

03/22/2017

Proposed legislation to commemorate former President Barack Obama’s birthday as a state holiday in Illinois would have cost taxpayers nearly $20 million in state personnel expenses and lost productivity.

TAGS: Barack Obama, Deb Conroy, Fred Crespo, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Martin Moylan, Michelle Mussman, Stephanie Kifowit, Sue Scherer

The fair share option for Rockford school workers who don’t want to strike

By Mailee Smith

03/09/2017

Bus drivers, paraprofessionals and food services workers at Rockford Public Schools will go on strike March 15 if a new contract is not reached soon. Employees who want to go to work can be punished by AFSCME Local 692. They can avoid union punishment by becoming fair share payers.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, fair share, labor, unions

Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2017 State of the State Address

By illinoispolicy

01/25/2017

Delivered on Jan. 25, 2017.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, State of the State

Rockford

Rauner’s school funding changes are a win for 97 percent of Illinois districts

Illinois’ jobs growth worse than every neighboring state

Illinois’ $5B tax hike will be eaten up by this year’s pension payment

Rockford receives credit downgrade as pension debt grows

A property tax freeze isn’t enough

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world

‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M

The fair share option for Rockford school workers who don’t want to strike

Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2017 State of the State Address

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