Illinois’ rich millennials are moving to other states

06/23/2019

Youthful wealth, energy and talent that could help Illinois recover is leaving the state at the nation’s second-highest rate. State leaders’ thirst for new taxes will make the problem worse.

TAGS: fair tax, income tax, jobs, millennials, outmigration, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes

Waste Watch: Nearly $100M of waste in Illinois state and local government

By Adam Schuster, Alec Mena, Travis Nix

10/08/2018

Illinois taxpayers are fed up and overtaxed. Residents have little faith that their governments are spending their tax dollars well – and for good reason. The state’s most recent spending plan is out of balance by as much as $1.5 billion, and includes $54.2 million in wasteful spending and $27 million in pork-barrel spending. The...

Poll: High taxes No. 1 reason Illinoisans consider leaving state

09/27/2018

Over half of survey respondents have considered leaving Illinois, citing dysfunctional government, disappointing job opportunities and – above all – high taxes.

TAGS: income tax, outmigration, progressive income tax, spending cap, taxes

Government union lobbying turns legislation against students

By Mailee Smith

05/14/2018

SB 2838 was meant to aid school districts – and students – by providing a means for schools to recruit substitute teachers. But government union lobbying transformed it into a pro-union, pro-strike bill that hinders educational opportunities for students during teacher strikes.

TAGS: AFL-CIO, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Government unions, your property tax bill and the power of giving

By Austin Berg

12/14/2017

Balancing the scales at the bargaining table is an essential step in fixing the property tax problem.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining, property taxes, strike

5 examples of government union power over the people, and 2 solutions to fix the problem

By Mailee Smith

10/24/2017

While government worker unions have had a stranglehold on the people of Illinois for far too long, the state isn’t without hope. Illinois can follow the lead of other Midwestern states and enact labor reforms.

Stacked deck: Of all neighboring states, only Illinois gives strike powers to government unions

By Mailee Smith

08/31/2017

Illinois is the only state in the region that allows government workers to go on strike, effectively depriving residents of services they need and driving up the highest property tax bills in the nation.

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

Corruption Watch: April 2015

By Shawn Tonge

05/08/2015

April saw two major players in Illinois education ensnared in charges of cronyism, among more than 60 other corruption-related stories.

TAGS: good government

Illinois General Assembly ignores citizens on term limits

By Brian Costin

10/26/2013

“It is a safe bet that the General Assembly will never pass a bill limiting its own members’ ability to seek re-election.” – Christopher Mooney, University of Illinois Springfield professor, term-limits expert Overwhelmingly, Illinoisans support term limits. A recent poll showed 78.7 percent of Illinois voters support term limits. But good luck convincing Illinois legislators...

TAGS: term limits

University of Illinois Springfield

Illinois’ rich millennials are moving to other states

Waste Watch: Nearly $100M of waste in Illinois state and local government

Poll: High taxes No. 1 reason Illinoisans consider leaving state

Government union lobbying turns legislation against students

Government unions, your property tax bill and the power of giving

5 examples of government union power over the people, and 2 solutions to fix the problem

Stacked deck: Of all neighboring states, only Illinois gives strike powers to government unions

Corruption Watch: April 2015

Illinois General Assembly ignores citizens on term limits

Illinois lawmaker wants politicians to take economics classes

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