Chicago needs a ‘wartime budget’ to face the COVID-19 crisis
Chicago needs a ‘wartime budget’ to face the COVID-19 crisis
City leaders must prioritize critical spending – and avoid hiking taxes on a struggling economy.
‘Fair tax’ medical quackery
‘Fair tax’ medical quackery
Illinois judge rules against Pritzker’s extension of stay-at-home order
Illinois judge rules against Pritzker’s extension of stay-at-home order
The judge said Pritzker’s executive orders “shredded the constitution,” highlighting the need for the Illinois General Assembly to play a role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
DAILY LINKS / 11.30.2023
The Center Square: Migrants on the move from Chicago police stations to churches Chicago Sun-Times: Mistrial in Burke case? Judge to rule on defense objection to ‘very corrupt’ remark during corruption trial Chicago Tribune: Groupon is downsizing once-massive Chicago headquarters to subleased floor of Leo Burnett building Daily Herald: DuPage County Board approves $625 million budget WCIA: Meta launches new data center in IllinoisDespite economic crisis, Pritzker won’t consider postponing $261 million in state raises
Despite economic crisis, Pritzker won’t consider postponing $261 million in state raises
With more than 755,000 Illinoisans out of work, state employees are still scheduled to get their automatic raises. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is treating those raises as non-negotiable. Governors in other states would disagree.
As Pritzker continues to extend his emergency powers, what role should the General Assembly play?
As Pritzker continues to extend his emergency powers, what role should the General Assembly play?
The governor is poised to continually issue disaster proclamations to extend his emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the General Assembly has a role to play in the crisis, too.
COVID-19 increases Illinois farm losses to point that farms may be lost
COVID-19 increases Illinois farm losses to point that farms may be lost
Farmers have always proven resilient and ultimately will survive the virus and anything state government lobs at them.
Gas taxes nearly equal to cost of gas in Illinois
Gas taxes nearly equal to cost of gas in Illinois
Illinois’ taxes and fees on gasoline keep the pump price high, even when oil producers are paying for someone to take excess crude. The state gas tax is set to rise again in July.
Why Congress should reject Illinois’ $44 billion bailout request
Why Congress should reject Illinois’ $44 billion bailout request
Two decades of fiscal mismanagement have left state finances ill-prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress should condition any additional aid for troubled states on taxpayer protections that ensure pensions are solvent, accounting is realistic and budgets are balanced.
Illinoisans vs. COVID-19
Illinoisans vs. COVID-19
McConnell says he favors allowing states to declare bankruptcy
McConnell says he favors allowing states to declare bankruptcy
As Illinois teeters on the edge of a junk credit rating, one key policymaker is floating bankruptcy as a solution.
Patronage hires lead to federal oversight of Cook County Clerk’s office
Patronage hires lead to federal oversight of Cook County Clerk’s office
An illegal patronage operation brought on federal oversight when Karen Yarbrough was Cook County’s recorder of deeds. It’s happened again to her as county clerk.
Illinois spent $17 million on masks from China that may be unusable
Illinois spent $17 million on masks from China that may be unusable
The state is attempting to shore up its supply of personal protection equipment, but received millions of masks the state health department recommended only using in a crisis.
Illinois payrolls see largest monthly drop since Great Recession
Illinois payrolls see largest monthly drop since Great Recession
State sheds 34,100 jobs during early stages of COVID-19 economic fallout.