Census: Illinois loses title of 5th-largest state to Pennsylvania

By Austin Berg

12/20/2017

Census data released Dec. 20 show the Land of Lincoln is no longer the fifth-largest state in the U.S.

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

Bad Santa: Illinois’ ‘sin taxes’ among the highest in the country

By Vincent Caruso

12/19/2017

Despite diminishing returns, the Prairie State has yet to kick its excise tax habit.

TAGS: alcohol tax, amusement tax, cigarette tax, taxes

Elmhurst City Council OKs property tax hike for pensions

By Brendan Bakala

12/13/2017

The Chicago suburb’s decision to raise the levy will result in a 3.1 percent hike in the city’s portion of property tax bills, marking the first such increase in four years.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Forgotten Illinois: Aurora

12/08/2017

Two sides, one city.

TAGS: Aurora, Caterpillar, East Aurora High School, forgotten illinois, manufacturing, Richard Irvin, small business, West Aurora High School

Building fairness and opportunity: The effects of repealing Illinois’ prevailing wage law

By Orphe Divounguy

12/07/2017

Illinois’ Prevailing Wage Act has no place in the 21st century. Policymakers should enact fair and competitive construction laws that give all individuals who are willing to work a fighting chance.

Illinoisans see less income after taxes than residents of all neighboring states

By Orphe Divounguy

10/23/2017

Illinoisans saw more than 30 percent of their income go to income taxes and property taxes from March 2015 to March 2016 – a higher share than residents of every bordering state.

TAGS: income tax, personal income, property taxes

Decatur is Illinois’ fastest-shrinking city since 2010

By Brendan Bakala

10/09/2017

Decatur lost 3,400 residents from 2010 to 2016, or about 4.5 percent of its population.

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

More than 2,200 Cook County workers receive salaries over $100,000

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

10/06/2017

More than 2,200 Cook County workers receive salaries over $100,000. For career county workers, that means pensions worth millions of dollars over the course of their retirements.

TAGS: 401(k), Cook County, municipal pensions, pensions

Preckwinkle admits soda tax was ‘first and foremost’ about revenue

By Chris Lentino

10/05/2017

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle shared an admission that the soda tax was always about revenue.

TAGS: Cook County, municipal pensions, soda tax, Teamsters, Toni Preckwinkle

More than 250 Peoria city employees receive over $150K in compensation

By Brendan Bakala

09/12/2017

Lucrative compensation for government workers stands in stark contrast to the city’s budgetary struggles and a flagging local economy.

TAGS: local government, municipal government, pensions, Peoria, property taxes

United States Census Bureau

Census: Illinois loses title of 5th-largest state to Pennsylvania

Bad Santa: Illinois’ ‘sin taxes’ among the highest in the country

Elmhurst City Council OKs property tax hike for pensions

Forgotten Illinois: Aurora

Building fairness and opportunity: The effects of repealing Illinois’ prevailing wage law

Illinoisans see less income after taxes than residents of all neighboring states

Decatur is Illinois’ fastest-shrinking city since 2010

More than 2,200 Cook County workers receive salaries over $100,000

Preckwinkle admits soda tax was ‘first and foremost’ about revenue

More than 250 Peoria city employees receive over $150K in compensation

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit 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