Chicago rolls out e-scooter pilot program
Chicago rolls out e-scooter pilot program
Thousands of electric scooters have arrived in Chicago as part of a four-month pilot program.
Illinois’ teachers pay for representation, but union priorities rarely focus on members
Illinois’ teachers pay for representation, but union priorities rarely focus on members
A detailed review of teachers union spending, 2013-2018
Lightfoot moves to reform infamous Chicago workers’ comp program
Lightfoot moves to reform infamous Chicago workers’ comp program
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called out Ald. Ed Burke after corruption indictments. Now she is reforming the city’s mismanaged workers’ compensation program that a lawsuit said Burke used to build a political army.
Poll: Nearly half of Illinois voters view progressive tax as ‘blank check’ for state lawmakers
Poll: Nearly half of Illinois voters view progressive tax as ‘blank check’ for state lawmakers
Recent polling shows many Illinoisans would not trust state lawmakers with expanded taxing authority under a progressive income tax system.
Death by a thousand cuts
Death by a thousand cuts
Illinoisans will pay higher online sales tax starting in 2020
Illinoisans will pay higher online sales tax starting in 2020
Illinoisans will pay more in state and local sales taxes when shopping online beginning next year.
Illinois’ pension measles
Illinois’ pension measles
Pension costs push Metro East property taxes up, as population shrinks
Pension costs push Metro East property taxes up, as population shrinks
Residents in Illinois’ Metro East area are fleeing a growing property tax burden, fueling regional population loss.
Lightfoot must pursue pension reform, reasonable labor contracts to fix Chicago’s budget
Lightfoot must pursue pension reform, reasonable labor contracts to fix Chicago’s budget
Persistent budget deficits, enormous and growing pension obligations, a high debt burden and labor contract negotiations all await Lori Lightfoot as she settles into office.
20 tax and fee hikes totaling $4.6 billion coming soon for Illinoisans
20 tax and fee hikes totaling $4.6 billion coming soon for Illinoisans
The Illinois General Assembly and governor devised 20 different ways to take more money from taxpayers to finance spending on government operations and infrastructure.
Balanced budget performance
Balanced budget performance
Lightfoot calls for independent commission to redraw Chicago’s 50 wards
Lightfoot calls for independent commission to redraw Chicago’s 50 wards
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot voiced support for establishing a fair mapmaking process in Chicago ahead of the 2020 census.
Despite tax hikes, Illinois fails to balance budget for 19th year in a row
Despite tax hikes, Illinois fails to balance budget for 19th year in a row
Band-Aid fixes and spending-heavy compromises were rampant. And now it’s all coming home to roost.
Illinois gas tax will double in July, then likely rise nearly a penny a year
Illinois gas tax will double in July, then likely rise nearly a penny a year
The state gas tax is projected to automatically increase 130% by 2025, without lawmaker approval. That’s almost 25 cents more on a gallon of gas.