Survey: Illinois state, local taxes are highest in nation

03/10/2021

Illinois households pay nearly $9,500 on average in state and local taxes, which at 15% of their income is the nation’s highest. WalletHub finds gasoline taxes pushed Illinois to No. 1.

TAGS: gas tax, income tax, property tax, taxes

Pritzker extends mask mandate for another 150 days

By Brad Weisenstein

01/06/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues to run the state’s COVID-19 response by executive mandate, with state lawmakers still silent 10 months into the pandemic.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker, restrictions

Madigan, ComEd face racketeering suit for over $450 million in ratepayer damages

By Brad Weisenstein

08/11/2020

Six House Democrats have called for the longtime speaker to step down.

TAGS: bribery, ComEd, corruption, Mike Madigan

Illinois property taxes rank No. 2 in the nation for third year running

By Brad Weisenstein

03/02/2020

Property taxes in Illinois are nearly double the national average. Until state lawmakers trim down thousands of local governments and pursue pension reform, those bills wills remain high.

TAGS: fair tax, home values, income tax, JB Pritzker, local government consolidation, pensions, property taxes, school district efficiency

Illinois police serve search warrant at Madigan’s Springfield office, looking for evidence of sexual assault, battery by former state lawmaker

By Austin Berg

02/01/2020

State police executed the search warrant in an attempt to find evidence of criminal behavior by former Democratic state Rep. Jack Franks.

TAGS: corruption, fair maps, fair tax, graduated income tax, house rules, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Illinois House of Representatives, illinois state police, independent maps, investigation, Jack Franks, JB Pritzker, legislative map, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, redistricting, rules committee, search warrant, sexual harrassment, Springfield, State of the State

Bill would stop Pritzker from paying state workers on the side

By Brad Weisenstein

01/12/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has used his private fortune to pay $3 million in state expenses, including boosting salaries of 16 top staffers. Some lawmakers want the ‘unethical’ practice to stop.

TAGS: bipartisan, conflict of interest, corruption, fair maps, house rules, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Illinois Constitution, independent maps, JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay, lawmakers, Legislative Inspector General, legislative map, lobbying, revolving door, Smart Scale, Springfield, watchdog

Illinois Senate president backs bill merging police, fire pension funds

By Brad Weisenstein

11/08/2019

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is championing a bill to merge more than 640 local police and fire pension funds into two investment pools. With lawmakers returning to Springfield for veto session, action on the bill may be near.

TAGS: consolidation, John Cullerton, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions

Illinois becomes 1st state in Midwest to raise tobacco age to 21

07/08/2019

A new state law prohibits Illinois store owners from selling tobacco products and e-cigarettes to residents under the age of 21.

TAGS: cigarette tax, e-cigarettes, tobacco, Tobacco 21

The Center Square

Survey: Illinois state, local taxes are highest in nation

Pritzker extends mask mandate for another 150 days

Madigan, ComEd face racketeering suit for over $450 million in ratepayer damages

Illinois property taxes rank No. 2 in the nation for third year running

Illinois police serve search warrant at Madigan’s Springfield office, looking for evidence of sexual assault, battery by former state lawmaker

Bill would stop Pritzker from paying state workers on the side

Illinois Senate president backs bill merging police, fire pension funds

Illinois becomes 1st state in Midwest to raise tobacco age to 21

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