Updating felony theft laws can help Illinois save money without harming public safety

By Bryant Jackson-Green

03/01/2016

A new study by The Pew Charitable Trusts shows states that adjusted their felony theft laws have not seen an increase in crime. To save on corrections costs, Illinois should update its theft thresholds, too.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, felony theft

Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2016 budget address

By illinoispolicy

02/17/2016

Full transcript of Governor Bruce Rauner’s 2016 budget address, as prepared for delivery to the General Assembly on Feb. 17, 2016.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s 2016 State of the State address

By illinoispolicy

01/27/2016

Transcript, provided by Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office, of his 2016 State of the State address, as prepared for delivery, to the General Assembly on January 27, 2016.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, State of the State

Landmark state report lights path toward lowering Illinois property taxes

By Austin Berg

01/05/2016

Absurdly high property taxes demand bold reforms from Illinois lawmakers. New recommendations from a state task force show exactly what kind.

TAGS: local government, property taxes, taxes

Illinois lost more population than any other state last year

By Mark Fitton

12/23/2015

Of the 50 states, Illinois was the top population loser.

TAGS: outmigration

Growing out of control: Property taxes put increasing burden on Illinois taxpayers

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

12/17/2015

Property taxes are the single largest tax in Illinois, burdening residents far more than either income or sales taxes. Illinoisans already know they pay high property taxes. But what is not as well known is that property taxes are outpacing residents’ ability to pay for them. Over the past 50 years, whether measured in comparison...

San Antonio admits anti-competitive food truck law is “not defensible”

11/25/2015

The law, which is similar to Chicago’s food-truck rules, was changed when San Antonio’s city attorney advised the city’s best bet was to change its rules as opposed to going to court.

TAGS: food trucks

Jobs and income growing much faster in Right-to-Work states

By Michael Lucci

10/13/2015

Government data show freedom from forced unionization means better outcomes for workers.

TAGS: jobs, right to work, unions

Illinois state government takes in more tax dollars per person than every neighboring state

By Austin Berg

10/13/2015

The low-tax Land of Lincoln is a myth.

TAGS: income tax, property taxes, sales tax, taxes

Illinois leads nation in overcrowded prisons

By Bryant Jackson-Green

10/13/2015

Illinois prisons held 150 percent of their maximum capacity in 2014, the highest rate of crowding of any prison system in the country, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, prison, prison overcrowding, prison population

Texas

Updating felony theft laws can help Illinois save money without harming public safety

Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2016 budget address

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s 2016 State of the State address

Landmark state report lights path toward lowering Illinois property taxes

Illinois lost more population than any other state last year

Growing out of control: Property taxes put increasing burden on Illinois taxpayers

San Antonio admits anti-competitive food truck law is “not defensible”

Jobs and income growing much faster in Right-to-Work states

Illinois state government takes in more tax dollars per person than every neighboring state

Illinois leads nation in overcrowded prisons

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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