Illinois state spending has grown nearly 50% faster than taxpayer incomes

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

02/18/2019

A spending cap proposal filed by state Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, would ensure growth in government spending doesn’t exceed taxpayers’ ability to pay for it.

TAGS: budget, debt, deficit, income tax, personal income, spending, spending cap, taxes, Tom Cullerton

Kiss-off: Too many Illinoisans breaking up with the state

By Vincent Caruso

02/14/2019

Every relationship comes with its sacrifices. But for an alarming number of Illinoisans, parting ways with Illinois is how they choose to get on with their lives.

TAGS: jobs, outmigration, property taxes, spending, spending cap, taxes

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

By Adam Schuster

02/04/2019

Gov. J.B. Pritzker inherited a $2.8 billion budget deficit the moment he stepped into office. Next year, that deficit is projected to be $3.4 billion1. It’s the same story every budget season. But Illinois’ budget crises could be a thing of the past if the state would adopt pension reform, right-size its union contracts and...

State of the state 2019: Past mistakes show path to better future for Illinois

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

01/22/2019

Reversing the state’s outmigration of residents and encouraging the job creation Illinoisans need to thrive – and the state needs for stable revenues – require lawmakers to rein in government overspending and resist calls for tax hikes that would further depress Illinois’ economic growth.

2 in 5 Chicago city workers are paid $100K or more

By Vincent Caruso

01/18/2019

Chicago had nearly 15,000 municipal employees paid at least six figures in 2017, up more than 1,000 from the previous year. That’s more than 40 percent of the city’s workforce.

TAGS: Chicago, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, Rahm Emanuel, salaries

Inauguration day: 5 pro-taxpayer reforms Pritzker should push in 2019

By Vincent Caruso

01/14/2019

The Land of Lincoln has a new governor, but the state’s deep-seated problems remain. Here are five reforms that newly inaugurated Gov. J.B. Pritzker could pursue to begin setting the state on the right fiscal path.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, Bruce Rauner, JB Pritzker, local government consolidation, pensions, school district consolidation, spending cap

Moving company ranks Illinois 2nd in nation for outbound moves

01/07/2019

Outbound movers cited lack of jobs as most common reason for leaving Illinois in 2018. Most of those who left earned at least $100,000.

TAGS: employment, income tax, jobs, outmigration, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes, United Van Lines

Each day, a plane full of Illinoisans moving to another state

By Austin Berg

12/20/2018

It’s the fifth year in a row Illinois has lost people. And the fifth year in a row that the loss has gotten worse. No other state finds itself adrift in five consecutive years of worsening population decline.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Christmas wish list: 12 gifts for Illinois taxpayers in 2019

By Vincent Caruso

12/19/2018

In 2018, Springfield handed Illinoisans more of the same repackaged policy failures. Lawmakers in the coming year should tape to their desks this wish list of taxpayer-friendly reforms.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, criminal justice reform, education, graduated income tax, income tax, pensions, prison reform, progressive income tax, property taxes, school choice, school district consolidation, sentencing reform, spending cap, U.S. Census Bureau

Illinois population loss worsens for 5th straight year

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Robert Teresi

12/19/2018

The Land of Lincoln is losing 313 residents per day to other states.

TAGS: outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau

United States Census Bureau

Illinois state spending has grown nearly 50% faster than taxpayer incomes

Kiss-off: Too many Illinoisans breaking up with the state

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

State of the state 2019: Past mistakes show path to better future for Illinois

2 in 5 Chicago city workers are paid $100K or more

Inauguration day: 5 pro-taxpayer reforms Pritzker should push in 2019

Moving company ranks Illinois 2nd in nation for outbound moves

Each day, a plane full of Illinoisans moving to another state

Christmas wish list: 12 gifts for Illinois taxpayers in 2019

Illinois population loss worsens for 5th straight year

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