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

Rock Island County hikes property taxes by nearly 12 percent

By Janelle Cammenga

12/05/2018

County board members narrowly voted to hike the county’s property tax levy by nearly 12 percent to make up for a $500,000 shortfall.

TAGS: property taxes, Rock Island County, taxes

As nation celebrates small businesses, Illinois politicians take them for granted

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

11/19/2018

A history of tax hikes to prop up unsustainable spending makes Illinois a frosty climate for small businesses.

TAGS: employment, jobs, progressive income tax, small business, spending cap, taxes

High rise: Evanston voters create a progressive ‘mansion tax’

By Vincent Caruso

11/15/2018

An increase in Evanston’s “mansion tax” will tighten the city’s squeeze on property owners making their way out the door.

TAGS: Evanston, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Nearly 80 percent of Alton property tax levy consumed by pensions

By Vincent Caruso

11/05/2018

The share of Alton’s annual property tax levy going to pension payments has more than doubled over the past decade.

TAGS: Alton, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes

Highest paid superintendent in Illinois history fired for ‘pay padding’

By Vincent Caruso

11/01/2018

Following an investigation into allegations of “pay padding,” among other offenses, Calumet school district board members dismissed Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent less than a week before retirement.

TAGS: Calumet School District 155, education, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, Troy Paraday

Pensions, debt push Oak Lawn toward ‘junk’ credit rating

By Vincent Caruso

10/21/2018

The Chicago suburb is facing severe fiscal challenges brought about by its unsustainable pension burden and $75 million in debt – a trend that has become too common among Illinois municipalities.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, municipal pensions, Oak Lawn, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes

Pritzker price tag: Candidate’s spending promises require doubling state income tax

By Adam Schuster, Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

10/15/2018

While J.B. Pritzker has not released a detailed tax plan of his own, reasonable cost estimates suggest the tax hike required to pay for the candidate’s spending promises would require doubling Illinois’ state income tax rate and cost the state an estimated 132,000 jobs and $31.3 billion in forgone GDP.

United States Census Bureau

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

Rock Island County hikes property taxes by nearly 12 percent

As nation celebrates small businesses, Illinois politicians take them for granted

High rise: Evanston voters create a progressive ‘mansion tax’

Nearly 80 percent of Alton property tax levy consumed by pensions

Highest paid superintendent in Illinois history fired for ‘pay padding’

Pensions, debt push Oak Lawn toward ‘junk’ credit rating

Pritzker price tag: Candidate’s spending promises require doubling state income tax

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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