Illinois Forward 2026: How the state can spend responsibly

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

02/12/2025

After years of splurging with revenue boosted by temporary federal aid, future deficits over $5 billion await the Illinois state budget. It’s time Illinois state leaders learn from past mistakes and manage other people’s money responsibly.

Illinois pension crisis would devour ‘millionaire tax’

By Bryce Hill

10/29/2024

Illinois needs to spend $4.9 billion more annually to pay for pensions, but the “millionaire tax” would only raise an estimated $3-$4.3 billion. That’s too little for the pension bills and would leave nothing for property tax relief.

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

By Josh Bandoch, Larry Han

10/16/2024

Published Oct. 16, 2024 Illinois finds itself at a crossroads: will it empower minorities and poor people to unleash their potential, or will it perpetuate an inequitable status quo? For far too many Illinoisans, opportunity is unfairly and unnecessarily out of reach. Illinois ranks in the bottom ten among all states in social mobility and...

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

By Hannah Schmid

09/19/2024

Student literacy is in trouble nationally, which is why Illinois is one of 35 states where just 1 in 3 – or fewer – of its fourth graders met reading standards in 2022.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stares down a $1 billion city budget deficit

By Bryce Hill

08/30/2024

Updated budget forecasts show a $982 million shortfall for the upcoming 2025 budget as Chicago grapples with $223 million remaining deficit this year. Mayor Brandon Johnson refuses to rule out property tax hikes.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, property taxes

Pritzker wants to spend record amount but needs $898M in tax hikes to do it

By Bryce Hill

03/01/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s record-setting $52.7 billion 2025 spending plan needs massive tax increases. Tax changes will hurt individuals, businesses and local governments.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

2024 State of the State: Federal rescue is over, so Illinois needs caution

By Bryce Hill

02/20/2024

The pandemic had an upside for Illinois state finances – infusing federal dollars as state revenues exceeded projections. Now federal aid is gone. Illinoisans’ ongoing struggles warrant caution, reform in the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget.

Vallas: Chicago needs tools, transparency for responsible budgeting

By Paul Vallas

09/27/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is continuing the mayoral tradition of giving the City Council and public too little time and too little information before a deficit city budget is passed. There’s little chance that will change soon, but it could be fixed.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Pensions put Illinois’ 2024 budget in red by over $4B

By Bryce Hill

05/27/2023

Illinois state lawmakers shorted pensions by $4.1 billion and killed scholarships for low-income students, but gave themselves pay raises and a new office building. Their budget leaves no room for error as revenue projections drop.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, pensions

Brandon Johnson issues 4 executive orders on 1st day in office

By Dylan Sharkey

05/17/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is starting his administration with four executive orders, expanding youth employment and adding three new deputy mayors for immigration, labor and community safety.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

United States Office of Management and Budget

Illinois Forward 2026: How the state can spend responsibly

Illinois pension crisis would devour ‘millionaire tax’

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stares down a $1 billion city budget deficit

Pritzker wants to spend record amount but needs $898M in tax hikes to do it

2024 State of the State: Federal rescue is over, so Illinois needs caution

Vallas: Chicago needs tools, transparency for responsible budgeting

Pensions put Illinois’ 2024 budget in red by over $4B

Brandon Johnson issues 4 executive orders on 1st day in office

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