Rhode Island city offers dire warning to Illinois municipalities struggling with pension debt

By Joe Tabor

06/06/2018

Central Falls, Rhode Island, filed for bankruptcy largely because of pension debt. If Illinois municipalities can’t meet or lower their pension obligations, they too could face fiscal collapse.

TAGS: bankruptcy, harvey, municipal pensions, pensions, spending

Illinois state lawmaker introduces bill to ban kratom

By Vincent Caruso

01/26/2018

The herbal supplement is already prohibited for Illinoisans under the age of 18.

TAGS: ban, Katie Stuart

Illinois ranks among bottom states in fiscal health

By Vincent Caruso

11/10/2017

A new study highlights the gravity of Illinois' fiscal crisis.

TAGS: budget, debt, deficit

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.

17% of Illinois homes are seriously underwater

By Madelyn Harwood

05/11/2017

Illinois’ sky-high property tax rates and lackluster economic growth have aggravated the state’s housing crisis.

TAGS: housing, property taxes

Illinois’ pension funds invested in risky, alternative investments

By Greg Bishop

04/20/2017

Nearly 38 percent of Illinois Teachers Retirement System assets are in so-called alternative investments.

TAGS: GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, JRS: Judges’ Retirement System, pensions, SERS: State Employee Retirement System, SURS: State Universities Retirement System, TRS: Teachers’ Retirement System

3 reasons why raising felony theft thresholds is a better way to deal with theft

By Hilary Gowins

03/17/2017

Illinois spent $58 million in 2015 to imprison offenders charged with felony theft. But evidence shows increasing the threshold, as 29 other states have done since 2001, doesn’t increase property crime or larceny rates.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, felony theft

Making Illinois smart on crime: How to improve felony theft outcomes

By Hilary Gowins

03/02/2017

Raising the felony theft threshold won't lead to an increase in overall property crime or larceny rates.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, felony theft, sentencing reform

Indiana personal income has grown twice as fast as Illinois’ over recession era

By Michael Lucci

02/13/2017

Hoosier homeowners keep more of their wages as a result of a statewide property tax cap and income tax cuts.

TAGS: household income, personal income, property taxes, taxes

Majority of Illinoisans support criminal-justice reform

By Bryant Jackson-Green

08/08/2016

The Pew Charitable Trusts

Rhode Island city offers dire warning to Illinois municipalities struggling with pension debt

Illinois state lawmaker introduces bill to ban kratom

Illinois ranks among bottom states in fiscal health

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

17% of Illinois homes are seriously underwater

Illinois’ pension funds invested in risky, alternative investments

3 reasons why raising felony theft thresholds is a better way to deal with theft

Making Illinois smart on crime: How to improve felony theft outcomes

Indiana personal income has grown twice as fast as Illinois’ over recession era

Majority of Illinoisans support criminal-justice reform

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