Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan

By Bryce Hill

02/14/2023

After years of enhanced revenue from federal aid, a return to the basic principles of budgeting can put Illinois on the path to long-term financial stability

Illinois Senate Bill would allow noncitizen parents, guardians to vote in school board elections

By Dylan Sharkey

02/10/2023

Illinois lawmakers are considering granting noncitizens the right to vote in school board elections if their children are in the school district. Registering to vote would come with a warning about possible risks under U.S. immigration law.

4 steps to rid Illinois Statehouse of Madigan’s corrupt legacy

By Joe Tabor

01/19/2023

Now that the 103rd Illinois General Assembly is sworn in, an early order of business will be to establish the rules of the chambers. Those rules need more reform to ensure another Mike Madigan doesn’t gather too much power.

TAGS: house rules, Mike Madigan

State lawmaker incomes grow at double rate of Illinoisans’ incomes

By Bryce Hill

01/17/2023

State lawmakers have voted to increase their salaries by more than $17,000 during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration, far outpacing growth in their constituent’s incomes.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

Illinois House sneaks through $12,000 pay raises for themselves

By Brad Weisenstein

01/07/2023

A late Friday-night move would add nearly $12,000 to the salary of each state lawmaker, raise salaries for statewide elected leaders such as the governor, and boost salaries for agency directors and their subordinates. Plus, they get cost-of-living increases.

TAGS: Illinois House of Representatives, lawmaker pay

What you need to know about new Illinois laws taking effect in 2023

By Perry Zhao

12/06/2022

New laws signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker are set to impact education, public safety, agriculture and labor

2022 election had most contested Illinois House races in 2 decades

By Patrick Andriesen

11/10/2022

Illinois’ 2022 general election was the most contested non-presidential election in the past two decades, with 79 contested Statehouse races. Illinois Policy’s Full Slate project helped give voters an extra 32 choices on the ballot.

TAGS: elections, Illinois

Fact check: Private sector workers excluded from Amendment 1

By Mailee Smith

10/06/2022

Despite proponents’ claims, the rights outlined in Amendment 1 cannot apply to non-government employees. U.S. Supreme Court precedent already makes that clear. So did the proposal’s Illinois Senate sponsor.

TAGS: Amendment 1

5 ways Amendment 1 is a property tax hike

By Bryce Hill

09/07/2022

Amendment 1 would likely result in a $2,100 tax hike for the typical Illinois homeowner, thanks to increased government union power to demand more.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

By Joe Tabor

08/17/2022

Published Aug. 17, 2022 Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension...

United States Senate

Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan

Illinois Senate Bill would allow noncitizen parents, guardians to vote in school board elections

4 steps to rid Illinois Statehouse of Madigan’s corrupt legacy

State lawmaker incomes grow at double rate of Illinoisans’ incomes

Illinois House sneaks through $12,000 pay raises for themselves

What you need to know about new Illinois laws taking effect in 2023

2022 election had most contested Illinois House races in 2 decades

Fact check: Private sector workers excluded from Amendment 1

5 ways Amendment 1 is a property tax hike

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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