Illinois pension costs skyrocketed by 500%, crowding out government services
Illinois pension costs skyrocketed by 500%, crowding out government services
The rapidly increasing cost of pensions is crowding out core government services.
Illinois cellphone taxes are highest in nation, average $374 a year
Illinois cellphone taxes are highest in nation, average $374 a year
Taxes alone hike the average Illinois cellphone bill by 31%.
Cullerton retirement: Get some sun
Cullerton retirement: Get some sun
DAILY LINKS / 11.19.2019
Chicago Sun-Times: Battle lines drawn: Madigan ‘stands by’ his ‘thoughts’ about Arroyo successor selection Chicago Tribune: Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she’s not expecting additional Chicago property tax hike for 2020; budget plan advances Chicago Sun-Times: Lightfoot agrees to raise aldermanic expense allowance Crain's Chicago Business: Lightfoot is killing Emanuel's Infrastructure Trust Daily Herald: First Carol Stream property tax in decades will cost average homeowner $232 a year WTTW: Slow start on reform at the Chicago Police Department Chicago Tribune: Children are being locked away, alone and terrified, in schools across Illinois. Often, it’s against the law. Chicago Sun-Times: Lightfoot’s minimum wage compromise advances, to cheers from restaurant owners Northwest Herald: Grafton Township adopts town fund, road district leviesWhere you can and can’t buy recreational marijuana in Illinois
Where you can and can’t buy recreational marijuana in Illinois
Many Illinois municipalities have voted to ban or restrict marijuana sales when it becomes legal for sale. Here’s a list of where pot will, won’t and might be legally bought.
Bill aims to pay Illinois lawmakers only for days they actually work
Bill aims to pay Illinois lawmakers only for days they actually work
Lawmakers can currently work one day to qualify for a whole month’s pay. A bill to change that has been stuck in committee since the spring.
Former Chicago official had side job with red-light camera company
Former Chicago official had side job with red-light camera company
The former deputy aviation commissioner had an undisclosed position as a sales representative for SafeSpeed LLC. The red-light camera vendor keeps emerging in federal probes.
Income tax hike dropped Illinois’ economic freedom rank, ‘fair tax’ would drop it more
Income tax hike dropped Illinois’ economic freedom rank, ‘fair tax’ would drop it more
The largest permanent income tax hike in Illinois history was followed by a slide to 34th least-free state in the union, behind nearly every neighboring state.
Cullerton: My work is done here
Cullerton: My work is done here
Senate President John Cullerton announces retirement amid sweeping Illinois corruption probe
Senate President John Cullerton announces retirement amid sweeping Illinois corruption probe
Cullerton and House Speaker Mike Madigan have held office in the Illinois General Assembly for nearly 90 years combined.
All Illinois taxpayers on the hook for CTU’s 244-sick-day pension sweetener
All Illinois taxpayers on the hook for CTU’s 244-sick-day pension sweetener
A provision included in the bargaining agreement reached between Chicago and its teachers union will allow teachers to trade up to 244 unused sick days for pension credits – billable to all Illinois taxpayers.
With corruption accelerating, slam the brakes on Illinois red-light cameras
With corruption accelerating, slam the brakes on Illinois red-light cameras
Whether or not they’re proven to be part of the state’s culture of corruption, Illinois should bring red-light camera programs to a full stop.
Ending dues deductions, recovering fees harder for public employees under bill passed by Illinois lawmakers
Ending dues deductions, recovering fees harder for public employees under bill passed by Illinois lawmakers
SB 1784 would hurt workers trying to stop paying union dues or trying to learn about their options. Union leaders get greater access to them and their personal information.
Report: Illinois pension debt soars to $137B, despite record taxpayer contributions
Report: Illinois pension debt soars to $137B, despite record taxpayer contributions
Illinois’ contributions to its pension funds exceeded $10 billion in 2019 for the first time in state history – and it wasn’t nearly enough to keep the state’s pension debt from growing.