Watchdog: Illinois fiscal health 2nd worst in nation
Watchdog: Illinois fiscal health 2nd worst in nation
Illinois politicians have too often ignored the necessity of true pension reform and instead opted for tax hikes.
Property tax task force Meeseeks
Property tax task force Meeseeks
Feds raid home, offices of Illinois lawmaker close to Madigan
Feds raid home, offices of Illinois lawmaker close to Madigan
A fourth political ally of Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has become the latest target of an ongoing federal investigation.
Teacher strike easiest in Chicago among 10 largest U.S. school districts
Teacher strike easiest in Chicago among 10 largest U.S. school districts
Teacher strikes are illegal in 8 of the top 10 largest school districts in the nation. Maybe that’s why a third Chicago Teachers Union strike in seven years looms.
Illinois’ $241B pension debt still worst in nation despite record income tax hike
Illinois’ $241B pension debt still worst in nation despite record income tax hike
A new report shows Illinois’ unfunded pension debt liability remained highest in the nation despite the 2017 income tax hike.
Peoria residents face new property tax fee devoted entirely to pensions
Peoria residents face new property tax fee devoted entirely to pensions
The city of Peoria is adding a new fee to residents’ property tax bills to help shore up the city’s public safety pensions.
Pritzker wants statewide ban on flavored e-cigarettes
Pritzker wants statewide ban on flavored e-cigarettes
Gov. J.B. Pritzker voiced support of some state and local leaders’ efforts to outlaw use of flavored vaping juice amid nationwide alarm over teen e-cigarette use. Outlawing flavored vapes may not be the answer.
Local pension bailout would make Illinoisans’ income tax bills rise as fast as their property taxes
Local pension bailout would make Illinoisans’ income tax bills rise as fast as their property taxes
Bailouts reward bad behavior. Reform rewards residents. Lawmakers should bend toward the latter.
Pritzker: Broke, please help me raise taxes
Pritzker: Broke, please help me raise taxes
East St. Louis faces interception of state funds for $2.2M pension debt
East St. Louis faces interception of state funds for $2.2M pension debt
The southwestern Illinois city faces high crime and poverty rates, as well as a $5.5 million budget deficit. Now, $2.2 million owed to its firefighters pension threatens to halt the flow of state funds.
Disgraced former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis still receiving $95,000 public pension
Disgraced former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis still receiving $95,000 public pension
The FBI detailed sex, drugs and corruption involving former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis, but he is still receiving a nearly $95,000 public pension after cooperating with their probe.
Legal marijuana sales may be restricted from most of downtown Chicago
Legal marijuana sales may be restricted from most of downtown Chicago
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has proposed zoning changes that would keep marijuana dispensaries out of most of the downtown business district after recreational use becomes legal on Jan. 1 in Illinois.
Chicago considering ‘all-out ban’ on e-cigarettes
Chicago considering ‘all-out ban’ on e-cigarettes
Chicago City Council will consider a proposal that would ban electronic cigarettes citywide amid a nationwide spike in deaths and illnesses linked to the devices.