Rauner backs plan to eliminate unfunded school mandates

By Mark Fitton

02/20/2016

Unfunded-mandate relief could mean a savings of $200 million annually for Illinois school districts.

Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2016 budget address

By illinoispolicy

02/17/2016

Full transcript of Governor Bruce Rauner’s 2016 budget address, as prepared for delivery to the General Assembly on Feb. 17, 2016.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner

Rauner making moves on pension reform

By Ted Dabrowski

01/21/2016

On Jan. 21 Gov. Bruce Rauner reignited reform talks surrounding Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension crisis.

TAGS: pensions

Illinois’ budget from the inside: A conversation with State Budget Director Tim Nuding

By Donna Arduin

01/13/2016

Donna Arduin is an Illinois Policy Institute senior fellow and a partner at Arduin, Laffer & Moore Econometrics, a group that advises federal, state and municipal leaders, as well as political candidates and private-sector clients, on economic, fiscal and state policies.

TAGS: budget

Madigan skips meeting with leaders, governor

By Mark Fitton

12/18/2015

Illinois has gone without a comprehensive budget for six months.

Busting the Springfield power monopoly: Madigan, Dunkin and why Illinois needs term limits

By Jim Long

11/24/2015

The defiance of certain Democrats in the General Assembly shows House Speaker Mike Madigan’s stranglehold on power is weakening.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, term limits

After months of gridlock, compromise rears its head in Springfield

By Heather Weiner

11/12/2015

Good-faith negotiation and trust were foundational to all of the deals made, but some Statehouse Democrats pushed for extreme solutions while others were actively compromising.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Child Care Assistance Program, illinois lottery, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan

House Democrats and Republicans still playing hardball

By Mark Fitton

11/11/2015

Restoration of child-care cuts fails in Illinois House.

TAGS: Child Care Assistance Program, Illinois Medicaid Redetermination Project, Medicaid

Rauner, business and labor agree on unemployment insurance changes

By Mark Fitton

11/10/2015

Changes to Illinois unemployment insurance law will strengthen deterrents against fraud, abuse and negligence; eliminate a $470 million tax increase and $300 million benefit reduction.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, unemployment

Front lines of a broken state

By Austin Berg

10/30/2015

What happens to a family that can’t afford to leave Illinois?

TAGS: jobs, poverty, unemployment

United States Senate

Rauner backs plan to eliminate unfunded school mandates

Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2016 budget address

Rauner making moves on pension reform

Illinois’ budget from the inside: A conversation with State Budget Director Tim Nuding

Madigan skips meeting with leaders, governor

Busting the Springfield power monopoly: Madigan, Dunkin and why Illinois needs term limits

After months of gridlock, compromise rears its head in Springfield

House Democrats and Republicans still playing hardball

Rauner, business and labor agree on unemployment insurance changes

Front lines of a broken state

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