Pritzker gives $100 million in pay raises to some of the nation’s highest paid state workers
Pritzker gives $100 million in pay raises to some of the nation’s highest paid state workers
On his first full day in office, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he will grant costly automatic pay raises to Illinois’ state workers despite a current budget deficit of more than $1 billion.
If Illinois hikes gas tax, expect more drivers to buy across state lines
If Illinois hikes gas tax, expect more drivers to buy across state lines
Illinois already taxes 20 cents more per gallon of gasoline than Missouri. If state lawmakers add another 30 cents per gallon, expect an exodus of southwestern Illinois drivers buying gas and more in St. Louis.
By Brad Weisenstein
Inauguration day: 5 pro-taxpayer reforms Pritzker should push in 2019
Inauguration day: 5 pro-taxpayer reforms Pritzker should push in 2019
The Land of Lincoln has a new governor, but the state’s deep-seated problems remain. Here are five reforms that newly inaugurated Gov. J.B. Pritzker could pursue to begin setting the state on the right fiscal path.
By Vincent Caruso
Madigan’s power runs deeper than the speaker vote
Madigan’s power runs deeper than the speaker vote
Many things have changed in state government during the past 36 years. Madigan has held constant.
By Austin Berg
Madigan re-elected to 18th term as Illinois House Speaker
Madigan re-elected to 18th term as Illinois House Speaker
The longtime speaker has held the gavel for 34 of the past 36 years, and maintains procedural powers unheard of in other states.
By Austin Berg
Lame-duck Illinois Senate passes pay hikes for state department leaders
Lame-duck Illinois Senate passes pay hikes for state department leaders
The outgoing Illinois Senate voted with the House in approving large pay increases for state department heads. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk, though likely not until J.B. Pritzker is sworn in.
Lingering in the left lane? Illinois State Police may give you a $120 ticket
Lingering in the left lane? Illinois State Police may give you a $120 ticket
Illinois State Police announced plans to aggressively crack down on misuse of the left lane on interstate highways, deploying “covert vehicles” to boost enforcement.
By Vincent Caruso
Longtime Illinois House Rep. Lou Lang resigns, joins lobbying firm
Longtime Illinois House Rep. Lou Lang resigns, joins lobbying firm
The former deputy majority leader resigned his House seat two days prior to being sworn into the 101st General Assembly. A Springfield lobbying firm hired him.
By Vincent Caruso
Lame-duck House passes state government pay hikes
Lame-duck House passes state government pay hikes
In the final hours of the 100th General Assembly, some state lawmakers are pushing to send a bill to incoming Gov. J.B. Pritzker that would give pay raises to state department heads.
Madigan poised to seize speakership yet again
Madigan poised to seize speakership yet again
After sweeping victories for Illinois Democrats in November, Mike Madigan is all but assured an 18th term as speaker of the House of Representatives when new members are sworn in Jan. 9. Madigan has already broken the record for longest-serving state legislative speaker in U.S. history.
By Austin Berg
Moving company ranks Illinois 2nd in nation for outbound moves
Moving company ranks Illinois 2nd in nation for outbound moves
Outbound movers cited lack of jobs as most common reason for leaving Illinois in 2018. Most of those who left earned at least $100,000.
Ald. Burke prosecution ends battle against auditing Chicago’s $100 million workers’ comp program
Ald. Burke prosecution ends battle against auditing Chicago’s $100 million workers’ comp program
Mayor Rahm Emanuel ordered an audit of the city’s $100 million-a-year workers’ compensation program following Ald. Ed Burke’s resignation as finance committee chair. Burke has long fought program oversight.
By Brad Weisenstein