False promises, real harm: Why Illinoisans should reject a progressive income tax

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

03/26/2018

States with a progressive income tax see greater income inequality, and have seen income inequality rise faster than states without a progressive income tax.

How licensing puts the hurt on lower-income Illinoisans, entrepreneurs

By Amy Korte

12/05/2017

In Illinois, a cosmetologist must complete 350 days of educational training, but an EMT can be licensed after just 37.

TAGS: occupational licensing, regulations

5 things Illinoisans need to know about House Democrats’ budget

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/29/2017

Much like other plans in the General Assembly before it, the House Democrats’ budget plan does nothing to structurally reform state government and bring down costs, but instead increases the burden on Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, Illinois House of Representatives, Mike Madigan

7 reasons the Illinois Republicans’ budget plan fails taxpayers

By Craig Lesner, John Klingner

06/16/2017

The budget plan proposed by Republican General Assembly members would raise taxes by over $5 billion without enacting any significant spending reforms.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, education, grand bargain, Illinois House of Representatives, income tax, Jim Durkin, pensions, property taxes

Fact-checking BGA’s claims on ‘low-spending’ Illinois

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

05/23/2017

While the Better Government Association has claimed Illinois’ budget contains no fat to trim, a deeper analysis reveals the state has many areas of expensive inefficiency to reform in state and local government costs, the Medicaid program and K-12 education.

TAGS: BGA: Better Government Association, budget, education, local government, Medicaid, municipal government, state worker pay, taxes

‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/28/2017

An education-funding plan in the General Assembly is already proven to make unattainable goals at a high cost to taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, education

Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs

By Ben Ruddell, Bryant Jackson-Green

11/16/2016

Most people expect Illinois law enforcement to defend the private property of Illinois residents. As long as you obey the law, your life, liberty and property should be secure from the law – or so common sense would suggest. Yet, every year, Illinois law enforcement agencies take tens of millions of dollars in cash, vehicles,...

Illinois’ wealth flight explained in 4 graphics

By Michael Lucci

11/15/2016

IRS data show the average income of taxpayers leaving Illinois surpassed the average income of taxpayers entering the state by $20,000 in 2014, a record loss for Illinois in the wake of the 2011 income-tax hike.

TAGS: IRS: Internal Revenue Service, outmigration

Chicago’s total, effective tax rate on liquor is 28%

By Chris Lentino

03/21/2016

The combined federal, state, county and city taxes on alcohol result in a 28 percent effective tax rate on a bottle of spirits bought in Chicago.

TAGS: alcohol tax, Chicago

Making Illinois smart on crime: First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

By Bryant Jackson-Green, Dianna Muldrow, Derek Cohen

08/06/2015

First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

Wyoming

False promises, real harm: Why Illinoisans should reject a progressive income tax

How licensing puts the hurt on lower-income Illinoisans, entrepreneurs

5 things Illinoisans need to know about House Democrats’ budget

7 reasons the Illinois Republicans’ budget plan fails taxpayers

Fact-checking BGA’s claims on ‘low-spending’ Illinois

‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions

Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs

Illinois’ wealth flight explained in 4 graphics

Chicago’s total, effective tax rate on liquor is 28%

Making Illinois smart on crime: First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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