Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois

By Perry Zhao

08/25/2021

State revenue losses around the country have ranged from far less than expected to non-existent. Fiscally healthy states are giving back to taxpayers. That doesn’t include Illinois.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, taxes

Pritzker seeks credit upgrades despite growing pension debt, budget deficits

By Adam Schuster

08/17/2021

Pension debt is a record $144.2 billion while Illinois’ short-term debt is on track to reach $22 billion in three years, exceeding the record $16.7 billion hit during the budget impasse.

TAGS: credit rating, debt, JB Pritzker, pensions

Pritzker’s economic record: Weak labor market, widening racial gaps

By Orphe Divounguy

08/11/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said his reelection campaign will focus on his record of protecting people and their jobs. A close look at that record shows Illinois with worse employment prospects and greater racial disparities than the rest of the U.S.

Tax hikes fail to balance Illinois budget, but lawmakers raise own pay

By Adam Schuster

06/03/2021

Leaders claimed the budget was balanced and included no tax hikes, but neither is true. Illinois state lawmakers for the 21st time passed a deficit budget – one that includes $655 million in new taxes and a nearly $1,200 raise for themselves.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, taxes

Full Text: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address

02/17/2021

Delivered virtually Feb. 17, 2021, from the Illinois State Fairgrounds

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, State of the State

Illinois was most corrupt of 10 largest states under Madigan’s reign

By Joe Tabor

01/12/2021

Illinois averaged over one federal public corruption conviction a week during the Madigan era. That is the most convictions per capita among the top 10 most populous states between 1983 and 2018.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, House Speaker, Mike Madigan

S&P: Illinois faces junk rating, large budget deficit even with progressive tax revenue

By Adam Schuster

10/08/2020

A credit rating agency found Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’ would fail to close the state’s deficit or adequately fund essential services.

TAGS: credit rating, deficit, fair tax, Standard & Poor's

Indiana set to fully reopen state; Illinois remains stuck

09/24/2020

As Indiana gets back to normal, Illinois is locked into Phase 4 restrictions until further notice.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, Indiana, JB Pritzker

Retiree tax, double tax, city tax all likely with Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

07/13/2020

Illinois politicians are already talking about taxing retirees, adding “surcharges” and city income taxes if they can convince voters to abandon the Illinois Constitution’s flat tax protection and give lawmakers greater taxing power.

TAGS: fair tax, farms, JB Pritzker, marriage penalty, progressive income tax, retirement tax

Illinois farmers see little that is fair about Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

By Brad Weisenstein

04/30/2020

During the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Farm Bureau twice made it a priority to tell members to oppose Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax hike. Their opposition is about values and principles.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, farms, progressive income tax

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois

Pritzker seeks credit upgrades despite growing pension debt, budget deficits

Pritzker’s economic record: Weak labor market, widening racial gaps

Tax hikes fail to balance Illinois budget, but lawmakers raise own pay

Full Text: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address

Illinois was most corrupt of 10 largest states under Madigan’s reign

S&P: Illinois faces junk rating, large budget deficit even with progressive tax revenue

Indiana set to fully reopen state; Illinois remains stuck

Retiree tax, double tax, city tax all likely with Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

Illinois farmers see little that is fair about Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

Solutions for vacant lots would reduce crime and poverty in Chicago

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