Pritzker changes mask rules in 35th COVID disaster proclamation
Pritzker changes mask rules in 35th COVID disaster proclamation
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued his 35th COVID-19 disaster proclamation, extending his powers for 70% of his term.
Amendment 1 could block efforts to shrink Illinois’ 6,000-plus layers of government
Amendment 1 could block efforts to shrink Illinois’ 6,000-plus layers of government
Amendment 1 would empower government unions to the point that their contracts could prevent consolidation of Illinois’ nation-leading number of local governments. Neither state law nor voters would be able to do much about it.
AT&T Illinois fined $23 million for buying Madigan influence
AT&T Illinois fined $23 million for buying Madigan influence
AT&T Illinois will pay a $23 million fine for illegally influencing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Their former president, Paul La Schiazza, faces conspiracy charges.
Report card: How’s Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker done in 4 years?
Report card: How’s Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker done in 4 years?
A review of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s term in Illinois’ highest office examines his track record beyond the campaign rhetoric. The second and final gubernatorial debate with opponent Darren Bailey is Oct. 18.
Illinoisans get just 20% of promised tax rebates after nearly a month
Illinoisans get just 20% of promised tax rebates after nearly a month
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s election-year budget includes one-time property tax rebate checks so far averaging $200 per homeowner. Only a fraction of the rebate checks have been mailed.
3rd anniversary of 2019 Chicago Teachers Union strike gives glimpse of Amendment 1
3rd anniversary of 2019 Chicago Teachers Union strike gives glimpse of Amendment 1
The Chicago Teachers Union has a history of demanding contract provisions far beyond wages and benefits. If Amendment 1 passes in November, government unions such as CTU will have a right to demand virtually anything and go on strike to get those demands met.
Chicago’s Fortune 500 headquarters are shrinking
Chicago’s Fortune 500 headquarters are shrinking
Chicago has lost three Fortune 500 headquarters in 2022. McDonald’s could be the next to leave. Amendment 1 could make it more likely.
Minister sees ballot question as property tax threat after nearly losing home
Minister sees ballot question as property tax threat after nearly losing home
The Rev. Phalese Binion worked to help people find affordable housing, but she didn’t truly understand the property tax problem until she bought her own home. Now the former union member sees a new property tax threat from Amendment 1.
Amendment 1: It definitely has nothing to do with property taxes
Amendment 1: It definitely has nothing to do with property taxes
Ep. 57: The $2B small business tax hike on Illinoisans’ ballots
Ep. 57: The $2B small business tax hike on Illinoisans’ ballots
New research from the Illinois Policy Institute projects that commercial property taxes for Illinois businesses will grow to almost $2 billion by 2026. Amendment 1 on the Nov. 8 ballot would likely increase that amount even more. Illinois Policy Institute Vice President Austin Berg explains why Amendment 1 would make Illinois’ notorious business climate even...
Josh Mammen
Josh Mammen
“Others should also vote ‘no’ for Amendment 1 since its costs are undefined and limitless. Property tax increases hurt everyone, and Amendment 1 will only make it worse. This is unsustainable.”
Chicago issues over 1M parking tickets in 6 months
Chicago issues over 1M parking tickets in 6 months
Three years after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot campaigned on a pledge to reduce fines and fees, the city issued over 1 million parking tickets in the first half of 2022 – a 25% bump from the same period a year earlier.
Mike Marek
Mike Marek
“Anything that enhances or expands the roles of public sector unions in our state, is from a financial standpoint at a minimum, likely to result in a higher cost of living for Illinois residents, regardless of your class, retired or working. I think this amendment will negatively affect anyone who is a taxpayer.”
Pain of Illinois gas taxes felt as another price spike hits
Pain of Illinois gas taxes felt as another price spike hits
OPEC decided to slow down oil production. Every state can expect higher gas prices, but Illinois taxes make the pain worse.