History shows lawmakers prefer to avoid tough but necessary choices.

The city's budget for fiscal year 2019 was accompanied by increases in sales and telecom taxes. But local officials still anticipate a deficit.

Sangamon County billed homeowners $215 million in 2017. This meant owners of a $127,000 Springfield home had a $2,600 property tax bill.

A potential 2 percent dine-in tax imposed on Springfield restaurants has yet to be introduced, but the idea - which other towns have tried - is not a welcome one.

Springfield won’t let millions in unpaid utility bills get in the way of nonessential spending.

David Piccioli sought a teacher pension after lobbying for the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

The state government owes the City Water, Light and Power of Springfield $3.5 million on past-due utility bills for state offices. The past-due utility bills are just one part of Illinois’ more than $14.3 billion bill backlog.

Members of the home building industry say Senate Bill 9’s tax on home repairs would fall hardest on Illinois’ middle-class and senior residents.