Southern Illinois’ wide range of property taxes

By Brendan Bakala

05/02/2017

Jackson County has the highest median property taxes among the southernmost counties in Illinois, and falls in the state’s top 50 counties for highest property taxes. Meanwhile, Hardin County residents pay the lowest median property taxes in the state.

TAGS: Hardin County, Jackson County, property taxes

Greater Chicago area lawmakers ignore needed reforms, head on spring break

04/19/2017

While Chicago-area taxpayers struggle under a heavy tax burden, lawmakers – who continue to ignore reforms the state desperately needs – are now on a two-week vacation.

TAGS: Chicago, John Cullerton, Martin Moylan, Michelle Mussman, Mike Madigan

Illinois lawmakers head out for 2-week spring break without passing a budget

By Brendan Bakala

04/12/2017

Though Illinois lawmakers leave without addressing the current fiscal impasse, it’s been 16 years since the General Assembly last balanced the budget.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

Alcohol bill aimed to help special interests, further status quo

04/10/2017

An amendment to Illinois’ longstanding Liquor Control Act creates curious guidelines that seem likely to favor a few specific Chicago businesses, while keeping the status quo intact for the rest.

TAGS: Beer Industry Fair Dealing Act, Frank Mautino, James Clayborne, Juliana Stratton, Liquor Control Act, liquor laws, Wine & Spirits Distributors of Illinois, Wine and Spirits Fair Dealing Act

Illinois workers’ compensation rules cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion a year

By Brendan Bakala

04/07/2017

State and local costs for workers’ compensation are out of line with what other states pay.

TAGS: budget, workers compensation

Springfield population drops by nearly 1,000 residents from 2015-2016

04/07/2017

Illinoisans from all areas are leaving the state in droves, and Springfield lawmakers need look no farther than the state capital to see the proof.

TAGS: outmigration, population, Sangamon County, Springfield, U.S. Census Bureau

Prestige Metals to move from Illinois to Wisconsin

By Brendan Bakala

03/28/2017

The small sheet metal fabricator will move from its current facility in Antioch, Ill., to an 8-acre location in Bristol, Wis.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, unemployment, workers compensation

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

Civic Federation proposal hits Illinois taxpayers with $51 billion in tax hikes

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/12/2017

The Civic Federation’s budget plan repeats old mistakes with multibillion-dollar tax hikes and no serious, structural reform.

TAGS: budget, Civic Federation, pensions, taxes

Fitch downgrades Illinois’ credit rating

By Brendan Bakala

02/02/2017

The New York-based credit agency cited the lack of action on a budget as the primary reason for the downgrade.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, debt, Fitch Ratings

Springfield

Southern Illinois’ wide range of property taxes

Greater Chicago area lawmakers ignore needed reforms, head on spring break

Illinois lawmakers head out for 2-week spring break without passing a budget

Alcohol bill aimed to help special interests, further status quo

Illinois workers’ compensation rules cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion a year

Springfield population drops by nearly 1,000 residents from 2015-2016

Prestige Metals to move from Illinois to Wisconsin

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

Civic Federation proposal hits Illinois taxpayers with $51 billion in tax hikes

Fitch downgrades Illinois’ credit rating

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