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
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.
Illinois wastes taxes supporting too many school district bureaucracies
Illinois wastes taxes supporting too many school district bureaucracies
Illinois could put $708 million more toward classrooms or property tax relief if it reduced school district bureaucracy to national average.
By Adam Schuster
Illinois Senate bill would ban gas-powered leaf blowers
Illinois Senate bill would ban gas-powered leaf blowers
A recent proposal to ban Illinois retailers from selling gas-powered leaf blowers and penalize Illinoisans for using them would hurt small businesses.
By Vincent Caruso, Austin Berg
Greater independence for Illinois’ Legislative Inspector General draws bipartisan support
Greater independence for Illinois’ Legislative Inspector General draws bipartisan support
Illinois’ Legislative Inspector General currently is subjected to political influence or even silencing by members of the General Assembly.
Local government spending could soon be easier for Illinois taxpayers to track
Local government spending could soon be easier for Illinois taxpayers to track
A bill to make more public records readily available would better show taxpayers how local governments spend money.