Veterans courts heal scars we can’t see

By Austin Berg

05/25/2017

This Memorial Day, we honor those who have fallen. Let’s not forget to extend a hand up to those who remain.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, drug court

Metro East median property taxes rank in the top 50 highest in Illinois

By Eric Kohn

05/11/2017

High property taxes in the Metro East region are fueling out-migration from the area.

TAGS: Metro East, outmigration, population, property taxes

Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k

By Eric Kohn

04/13/2017

Though the median household income in Belleville is only $43,318, Belleville Township School District 201’s top administrators are making six-figure salaries.

TAGS: Andrea Gannon, Belleville, Belleville Township School District 201, Brian Mentzer, education, Jeff Dosier, Melissa Taylor, Metro East, property taxes, Rich Mertens, St. Clair County, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

The shrinking Metro East

By Brendan Bakala

04/10/2017

St. Clair and Madison counties saw combined population losses of more than 1,600 people due to out-migration to other states.

TAGS: Madison County, Metro East, Missouri, Monroe County, outmigration, population, St. Clair County, St. Louis, U.S. Census Bureau

Many St. Clair County residents would face higher sales tax rates than Chicago if sales tax proposals pass

By Lea Thoele

04/04/2017

If voters approve proposals to raise St. Clair County sales taxes by a combined 2 percent, people in some parts of St. Clair County would face total sales taxes of over 11 percent.

TAGS: sales tax, St. Clair County, taxes

Illinois Supreme Court won’t hear state employee pay case immediately

By Brendan Bakala

03/21/2017

The Illinois Supreme Court refused to hear Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s request to stop state employees from getting paid until a budget is passed.

TAGS: Illinois Supreme Court, labor, Lisa Madigan, unions

Court denies Madigan petition to stop state worker pay

By Mailee Smith

02/16/2017

Lisa Madigan lost the first round in her quest to stop state worker pay during Illinois’ budget impasse. But that doesn’t mean the matter is settled. The attorney general could take this issue all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, budget, Lisa Madigan, state worker pay

Illinois lawmakers can avoid a government shutdown and a bad budget deal by passing an appropriations measure

By Mailee Smith

02/02/2017

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is seeking a court order to stop paychecks to state employees. Many speculate she is trying to force the General Assembly into a budget deal – one that would be bad for Illinoisans. But the General Assembly doesn’t have to be bullied into a bad budget deal. It can pass an appropriations measure to fund state worker payrolls and keep government from shutting down.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, labor, Lisa Madigan, state worker pay

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

AFSCME turns on the Illinois Labor Relations Board

By Mailee Smith

12/14/2016

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, desperate to avoid the implementation of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s contract offer, filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Labor Relations Board, claiming the board violated the Open Meetings Act in reaching its decision that AFSCME and the state are at impasse in contract negotiations. The labor board met Dec. 13 and reissued the decision it announced at its meeting Nov. 15 and in writing Dec. 5 – that the state and AFSCME are at impasse.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, Illinois Labor Relations Board

St. Clair County

Veterans courts heal scars we can’t see

Metro East median property taxes rank in the top 50 highest in Illinois

Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k

The shrinking Metro East

Many St. Clair County residents would face higher sales tax rates than Chicago if sales tax proposals pass

Illinois Supreme Court won’t hear state employee pay case immediately

Court denies Madigan petition to stop state worker pay

Illinois lawmakers can avoid a government shutdown and a bad budget deal by passing an appropriations measure

Lisa Madigan moves to shut down state government

AFSCME turns on the Illinois Labor Relations Board

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