Illinois’ rainy-day fund can operate state for about 15 minutes
Illinois’ rainy-day fund can operate state for about 15 minutes
With economic challenges driven by the coronavirus ahead, Illinois finds itself missing an important financial tool.
Pritzker orders closure of all Illinois bars and restaurants amid coronavirus spread
Pritzker orders closure of all Illinois bars and restaurants amid coronavirus spread
The order comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Illinois continues to rise.
COVID-19 aka coronavirus
COVID-19 aka coronavirus
Champaign City Council gives mayor power to impose curfew, seize private property
Champaign City Council gives mayor power to impose curfew, seize private property
Water rationing and forced business closures were among a litany of emergency powers the city council granted Champaign’s mayor and city manager in response to the global health crisis.
Coronavirus incoming
Coronavirus incoming
Illinois House committee passes bill to ban red-light cameras statewide
Illinois House committee passes bill to ban red-light cameras statewide
Red-light cameras have been the subject of multiple corruption investigations and have cost Illinois drivers over $1 billion.
Pension reform is more popular than Pritzker, and other Illinois polling data that may surprise you
Pension reform is more popular than Pritzker, and other Illinois polling data that may surprise you
Three points stick out in recently released numbers: First, J.B. Pritzker is not a popular governor. Second, pollsters need to get real about the “fair tax” fantasy. And third, pension reform draws a diverse base of support, except at the Statehouse
Jill Gruner
Jill Gruner
“[There’s] concern about not having a pension in the future because it’s so unsustainable. I would like to have my pension. I don’t think there was a lot of actuarial science involved when these pensions were put in place."
Poll shows diverse support for Illinois pension reform
Poll shows diverse support for Illinois pension reform
Illinois Democrats, union members, government or nonprofit workers, and people of all income groups support a pension amendment that allows for changes in cost-of-living raises and other future benefits.
‘Fair tax’ medical quackery
‘Fair tax’ medical quackery
New Mexico passes bipartisan pension reform
New Mexico passes bipartisan pension reform
As Illinois elected leaders continue to delay action on pension reform, a broad and bipartisan coalition has succeeded in pushing for reforms to public employee benefits in New Mexico.
Pritzker’s memory eraser
Pritzker’s memory eraser
Illinois house value growth nation’s 2nd worst in 2019
Illinois house value growth nation’s 2nd worst in 2019
States with the slowest housing appreciation tend to have worse labor markets, higher taxes and more pension debt.
Bribery charge, resignations hit prominent players in red-light camera scandal
Bribery charge, resignations hit prominent players in red-light camera scandal
A Cook County commissioner quits as a former city administrator faces a bribery charge. Both played roles in the rise of red-light cameras and vendor SafeSpeed.