Bill proposes to tie Illinois state spending to what taxpayers can afford
Bill proposes to tie Illinois state spending to what taxpayers can afford
Lawmakers routinely spend faster than taxpayers’ incomes grow. A new bill would put Illinois with the majority of states that limit taxes or spending.
Senate committee passes Hayli’s Law so regulators don’t sour young entrepreneurs
Senate committee passes Hayli’s Law so regulators don’t sour young entrepreneurs
The proposal is named after Hayli Martenez, a Kankakee girl who was forced to shutter her lemonade stand last summer by county health officials.
Former Hinsdale superintendent collecting $315k pension
Former Hinsdale superintendent collecting $315k pension
The former leader of a wealthy school district is receiving a massive pension boosted by a pair of 20% raises given during her final two years. Illinois needs pension reform.
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.
By Austin Berg
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.
By Adam Schuster
Illinois 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.
By Brad Weisenstein
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?
By Austin Berg
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.
By Bill Reveille
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.
By Vincent Caruso
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.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill