Wesley L. Fox

While Illinois Considers Raising Taxes, Neighbors Plan to Cut

By Chris Andriesen
11/23/2010
by Wesley Fox While several of Illinois’s neighbors are moving towards cutting taxes to help promote economic growth and job creation, Governor Quinn is pushing hard for an increase in the individual income tax rate to help “solve” Illinois’s budget problems.  If he is successful, Illinois may be the only state in the region that will...

Senate Forms Committees to Study Workers’ Compensation and Medicaid Reform

By Chris Andriesen
11/18/2010
by Wesley Fox Senate President John Cullerton announced today that he will form committees to study workers compensation and Medicaid reform, which are initiatives Republicans promoted during the campaign.  The committees would advance legislation for a possible vote in January,according to the Sun-Times. Illinois’s workers’ compensation requirements are costly and discourage employers from hiring or even doing business...

Property Tax Bills Confusing Many in Cook County

By Chris Andriesen
11/17/2010
by Wesley Fox Many property taxpayers in Cook County are confused and angry by their property tax bills.  While property value assessments are supposedly declining, tax bills are increasing leaving many asking, “Why?” According to one columnist at the Southern Star: I have been writing about the property tax for more than two decades now and still...

Most Local Tax Increases on Ballot Lose Tuesday

By Chris Andriesen
11/09/2010
by Wesley Fox While many experts are trying to interpret the results of the election in Illinois, they might have an easier time determining the people’s views on taxes. In this year’s election there were dozens of referenda on the ballot asking voters if they support or oppose local sales and/or property tax increases.  Of the...

Illinois to Start Paying Interest on Loan from Federal Government

By Chris Andriesen
11/09/2010
by Wesley Fox According to the Rockford Register Star, Illinois will soon have to pay interest charges on the $2.2 billion it borrowed from the federal government.  Illinois took out the loan to help pay out unemployment benefits after the state unemployment fund ran dry. Beginning on January 1st, the federal government will begin charging interest...

Illinois Pays $100k to Host a Football Game Between Two Out-of-State Universities

By Chris Andriesen
11/01/2010
by Wesley Fox The Chicago Football Classic Inc. received a $100,000 grant to assist in hosting the Chicago Football Classic. According to the DCEO website the game “will feature Mississippi Valley State versus Southern University.” Southern University is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Mississippi Valley State is located in Itta Bena, Mississippi. The grant was part of...

Chicago Mayoral Candidate Proposing Cutting Own Pay

10/29/2010
by Wesley Fox Chicago mayoral candidate Gery Chico announced today he would take a 20% cut in pay and would force thousands of other city employees to do the same if elected mayor.  He would also ask the city’s 50 Aldermen to take a pay cut as well and work to reduce the number of standing City Council...

Grant for Costumed Actors Costs Taxpayers $79K

10/26/2010
by Wesley Fox In 2009, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a $79,000 to the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition (search “Looking for Lincoln” – Grant #09337008).  The Grant was awarded to “cover costs associated with hosting a Living History Program” that would include “costumed interpreters” to lead daily tours of historical locations around Springfield. According...

Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Includes Indirect Donations to Politicians

10/26/2010
by Wesley Fox The Illinois Policy Institute has proposed greater transparency in taxpayer-funded lobbying, including reports on state and local government expenditures on lobbyists.  The Daily Herald has found another good reason for transparency. According to the Daily Herald, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Pace and Metra spent more than $12.8 million on...

Chicago Horticultural Society receives $250k for its Conservation Center

10/22/2010
by Wesley Fox In 2009 the Chicago Horticultural Society received a $250,000 grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity “to assist in the development of the visitor interpretive features in the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center.”  The Center is located at the Chicago Botanical Gardens. According to the DCEO Grant Tracker website (search Chicago...
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Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Chicago’s $1.15 billion projected budget gap is the latest in a decades-long string of structural deficits. Making Chicago’s high taxes worse is not the solution.

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Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016