Amendment 1 would take away taxpayers’ voice in state government
Amendment 1 would take away taxpayers’ voice in state government
The proposed constitutional amendment would put union contracts above the interests of future taxpayers and voters
Illinois schools outspend, underperform neighbors
Illinois schools outspend, underperform neighbors
Illinois test scores lag nearby states as administrative bloat keeps money from classrooms
Illinois aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030
Illinois aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030
The state’s newly adopted clean energy policy adds new incentives for electric vehicles and charging stations for buyers and manufacturers.
DAILY LINKS / 1.24.2024
Center Square: Proposed food additive ban in Illinois would be strictest in the nation Sun-Times: Mayor to seek second vote rejecting arbitrator’s ruling on CPD disciplinary hearings Chicago Tribune: Edgewater residents say migrant shelter at Broadway Armory Park has taken away vital programming from community Daily Herald: Kane County voters will get their say on a new high school, higher sales tax Central Illinois Proud: Peoria City Council to take up housing, anti-violence measures at Tuesday night meetingIllinois’ financial condition worsens despite receiving billions in federal aid
Illinois’ financial condition worsens despite receiving billions in federal aid
A new report from watchdog Truth in Accounting shows each taxpayer’s share of state debt has nearly doubled since 2009 to $57,000 as total debt increased by $10 billion—mostly due to pension obligations.
3 problems with Lightfoot’s Chicago budget, starting with an unnecessary property tax hike
3 problems with Lightfoot’s Chicago budget, starting with an unnecessary property tax hike
The mayor’s Chicago budget plan includes a $76.5 million property tax hike despite $3.5 billion in federal aid and funds permanent programs with temporary revenues but includes no push to fix pensions.
Will the Chicago Bears stay in the city? Lightfoot hopes so, but says taxpayer dollars won’t be part of the deal
Will the Chicago Bears stay in the city? Lightfoot hopes so, but says taxpayer dollars won’t be part of the deal
Soldier Field is the NFL’s oldest stadium and home to the bears since 1971. Though their city contract runs through 2033, many expect the team will move to the suburbs after the purchase of Arlington Park in the northwest suburbs.
Chicago Public Schools have lost 25,000 students since COVID-19 hit
Chicago Public Schools have lost 25,000 students since COVID-19 hit
As enrollment declines CPS may lose its spot as the third-largest school district nationally, yet spending increases continue.
Deb Roti
Deb Roti
“The pension problem is Illinois is multi-faceted and misunderstood.”
Ep. 5: Pensions 101: Understanding IL’s pension crisis
Ep. 5: Pensions 101: Understanding IL’s pension crisis
Guest: Adam Schuster
Illinois’ rising property taxes driven by $75 billion local pension debt
Illinois’ rising property taxes driven by $75 billion local pension debt
Rapidly rising property taxes and growing pension costs leave homeowners asked to pay more to get less. Relief requires structural pension reform, starting with a constitutional amendment.
Madison County ending taxpayer support of history museum
Madison County ending taxpayer support of history museum
During the past decade, one of the few taxpayer-supported local history museums in Illinois collected over $2 million. That is ending, but not before another $300,000 in taxes is handed to the museum.
$119.5M later, Southern Illinois taxpayers still trying to get airport off ground
$119.5M later, Southern Illinois taxpayers still trying to get airport off ground
An underused airport near Belleville, Illinois, has required local taxpayers to chip in $119.5 million since 2002 to keep it operating. Even with pandemic money, 2020 was even worse.
Pensions in Quincy cost 126% of municipal property taxes
Pensions in Quincy cost 126% of municipal property taxes
Quincy property taxes do not generate enough to fund the municipal pension costs. Even with that heavy burden, there is so much state and local pension debt that the average Quincy household owns more than $35,600.