Nearly 40% of education spending consumed by pension costs
Nearly 40% of education spending consumed by pension costs
Growing pension costs for retired educators are quickly crowding the classroom out of Illinois budgets.
Trump and Blagojevich’s commutation slide
Trump and Blagojevich’s commutation slide
New law empowers McHenry County voters to consolidate townships
New law empowers McHenry County voters to consolidate townships
A new law relaxes requirements for McHenry County voters looking to dissolve their townships by referendum, clearing a path toward greater efficiency, less waste and lower property taxes.
Lake in the Hills approves over 9% hike to police pension levy
Lake in the Hills approves over 9% hike to police pension levy
The village will dedicate an estimated $1.5 million dollars to its police pension fund in 2019 – 9.17% more than it paid last year.
New Illinois law ends $120 fee to clear false criminal records in Cook County
New Illinois law ends $120 fee to clear false criminal records in Cook County
A bill signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker will renew a pilot program in Cook County that waives fees for the expungement or sealing of criminal records for those who have been wrongfully accused of a crime.
Illinois city aims to oust little girl’s lemonade stand
Illinois city aims to oust little girl’s lemonade stand
llinois has a reputation for making business harder than it needs to be for entrepreneurs across the state.
Blago’s f-ing golden bunk bed
Blago’s f-ing golden bunk bed
Pritzker promises over $10B in new spending on $3.7B progressive tax hike
Pritzker promises over $10B in new spending on $3.7B progressive tax hike
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” plan falls far short of the revenue needed to pay for his spending promises – feeding fears of future tax hikes on middle-class families.
Cook County home values down 31%, property taxes up 22% since 2007
Cook County home values down 31%, property taxes up 22% since 2007
Without true pension reform, property taxes are only bound to continue swamping Cook County homeowners.
Escape from Illinois Corruption Shawshank
Escape from Illinois Corruption Shawshank
Corruption costs Illinois taxpayers at least $550M per year
Corruption costs Illinois taxpayers at least $550M per year
Chicago is the most corrupt city, and Illinois the second-most corrupt state, in the nation, according to a recent report by the University of Illinois at Chicago. But corruption in Illinois is more than a buzzword. It comes with social and economic costs. Not only does corruption lessen residents’ faith in the government, it decreases...
Will County weighs new 4- to 8-cent countywide gas tax atop doubled Illinois tax
Will County weighs new 4- to 8-cent countywide gas tax atop doubled Illinois tax
County leaders may exercise new taxing authority from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s capital plan. Illinois already doubled its portion of the gas tax, pushing the total burden to No. 3 in nation.
RIP corruption reform
RIP corruption reform
Illinois’ film tax credit program is theatrically bad
Illinois’ film tax credit program is theatrically bad
Illinois’ film tax credit program is a slap in the face to the state’s small business community outside the spotlight, does little to grow good jobs and is rife with corruption.