False promises, real harm: Why Illinoisans should reject a progressive income tax

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

03/26/2018

States with a progressive income tax see greater income inequality, and have seen income inequality rise faster than states without a progressive income tax.

Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag

By Brendan Bakala

04/23/2017

Despite Illinois’ severe financial problems, less than 3 percent of bills passed by the 99th General Assembly and enacted into law have fiscal notes.

AFSCME: The 800-pound gorilla at the negotiating table

By Mailee Smith

11/14/2016

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees claims to be seeking a “fair contract” on behalf of Illinois state workers. But the power and influence exerted by the state’s largest government-worker union means the bargaining table almost always tilts in AFSCME’s favor. The reality is that AFSCME is the power player in negotiations...

Illinoisans will receive income-tax relief in 2015

By Jane McEnaney

12/04/2014

With a lame-duck session dead in the water, the 2011 income-tax hikes will sunset on schedule; a minimum-wage debate will wait until Rauner takes office; and taxpayers will not be on the hook for a state-funded health insurance exchange.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, income tax, lame duck session

The wrong idea at the wrong time: 6 things you need to know about SB 2758

By Robert Steere

12/02/2014

Senate Bill 2758 establishes a brand new governmental entity with a brand new governmental function: to establish and administer a “mostly mandatory” IRA retirement savings program for private-sector workers.

Veto session week 1 recap: minimum-wage hike, mandatory caregiver training still up for grabs

By Donovan Griffith

11/22/2014

Ridesharing regulations, ObamaCare exchange and extension of the 2011 tax hikes all lay dormant.

TAGS: lame duck session, veto

70-mph speed limit fast-tracked after veto override

By Austin Berg

11/21/2014

Contrary to Quinn, Illinois drivers are likely to get 70-mph speed limits on tollways statewide as early as Dec. 2.

TAGS: speed limit, veto

New app gives Illinois voters access to legislation, timely legislative information

By Jane McEnaney

10/09/2014

Since January 2013, the Illinois General Assembly has filed 6,305 bills in the House and 3,667 bills in the Senate. These figures don’t account for the myriad amendments that are tacked on to many bills before the full legislature votes on them. With that many pieces of legislation, the average concerned citizen needs a mechanism...

Senate Dems live in denial, turn to propaganda

By Michael Lucci

10/06/2014

Denial— a failure to acknowledge an unacceptable truth or emotion or to admit it into your consciousness, used as a defense mechanism. Illinois’ Senate Democrats launched a website called “I Like Illinois.” The explicit purpose of the site, according to their tweets, is to “counter negativity of Illinois Policy Institute.” This purpose is ironic, given...

TAGS: Democrats

Illinois corruption watch, August 2014

By Brian Costin

09/05/2014

At least 84 corruption-related stories have been reported from across the state of Illinois in August alone. Atop August headlines is the recent revelation that a federal grand jury subpoenaed the emails of Gov. Pat Quinn’s ex-chief of staff in relation to Quinn’s anti-violence grant program. The case, which has been referred to by some...

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, cronyism, transparency, waste

United States Senate

False promises, real harm: Why Illinoisans should reject a progressive income tax

Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag

AFSCME: The 800-pound gorilla at the negotiating table

Illinoisans will receive income-tax relief in 2015

The wrong idea at the wrong time: 6 things you need to know about SB 2758

Veto session week 1 recap: minimum-wage hike, mandatory caregiver training still up for grabs

70-mph speed limit fast-tracked after veto override

New app gives Illinois voters access to legislation, timely legislative information

Senate Dems live in denial, turn to propaganda

Illinois corruption watch, August 2014

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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