Property taxes turning American dreams into Illinois nightmares
Property taxes turning American dreams into Illinois nightmares
Visions of the community’s future no longer bring comfort. Instead, they inspire crippling fear.
Pritzker budget relies on $800M in legally questionable accounting gimmicks
Pritzker budget relies on $800M in legally questionable accounting gimmicks
Illinois law requires the governor to propose a budget balanced with existing revenues. To do so, Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposes cutting aid owed local governments, raiding the road fund, letting health insurance costs pile up and withholding taxpayers’ refunds.
Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’ cheering section
Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’ cheering section
DAILY LINKS / 11.17.2023
The Center Square: City Council approves 2024 budget for Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago gets $160 million boost from state to address migrant crisis Chicago Tribune: Ex-Ald. Edward Burke corruption trial: Evidence seen and heard by the jury Crain's Chicago Business: Teachers unions win, but kids are hurt in the process WGN: Former PTO president charged for stealing $10K Daily Herald: Rivers Casino says computer system was hacked and customer data accessed WCIA: EIU employees walk out for higher wagesIllinois property taxes rank No. 2 in the nation for third year running
Illinois property taxes rank No. 2 in the nation for third year running
Property taxes in Illinois are nearly double the national average. Until state lawmakers trim down thousands of local governments and pursue pension reform, those bills wills remain high.
Why the soda tax ‘worked’ and the progressive tax won’t
Why the soda tax ‘worked’ and the progressive tax won’t
There’s no doubt: the county taxed soda more, so people bought less of it. It’s a simple lesson. So why doesn’t Springfield get it?
Illinois’ pension costs, debt are growing far faster than state predicted
Illinois’ pension costs, debt are growing far faster than state predicted
The pension crisis is worse than the state admits, and the state’s official projections cannot be trusted.
Bill would curb Illinois state budget gimmicks allowing deficits since 2001
Bill would curb Illinois state budget gimmicks allowing deficits since 2001
Illinois has not truly balanced its budget since 2001 despite a constitutional requirement to do so. A new bill would help change that.
Plea deal drops felony against former Lake Forest city manager who pushed for Amtrak stop
Plea deal drops felony against former Lake Forest city manager who pushed for Amtrak stop
Hiding lobbyist payments led to a felony indictment in October against Lake Forest’s longtime former city manager. His plea bargain drops the felony and could eventually leave his record clean.
Illinois House passes bill to tear down nearly 100 red-light cameras
Illinois House passes bill to tear down nearly 100 red-light cameras
A proposal to limit red-light cameras in Illinois is making significant progress.
75 mph speed limit up for consideration on Illinois interstates
75 mph speed limit up for consideration on Illinois interstates
The speed limit was last raised to 70 mph in 2014.
‘Fair tax’ would cost Illinois 56K jobs
‘Fair tax’ would cost Illinois 56K jobs
Progressive income tax would essentially wipe out all 2019 employment gains in Illinois, and then some.
Fired Chicago Police superintendent receiving nearly $200K pension
Fired Chicago Police superintendent receiving nearly $200K pension
Eddie Johnson was fired before his scheduled retirement after he was found asleep behind the wheel. He blamed medication. Video showed him drinking.
Blagojevich comes home to America’s most corrupt city
Blagojevich comes home to America’s most corrupt city
Chicago and the state of Illinois are notorious around the country for high-profile corruption convictions. Rod Blagojevich settles back in after the former governor’s imprisonment for corruption.