Doubled gas tax creates losers in Illinois, winners across state lines
	Doubled gas tax creates losers in Illinois, winners across state lines
	
		Station owners said Illinois businesses were damaged July 1 when the gasoline tax doubled. Tax increases are keeping Illinois pumps quiet and cooling cigarette sales.	
				
			By Brad Weisenstein
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Cost of Illinois’ education bureaucracy crowds out classroom spending
	Cost of Illinois’ education bureaucracy crowds out classroom spending
	
		More than 9,000 Illinois school district administrators earn more than $100,000 a year. Each of them will collect at least $3 million in pension benefits during retirement.	
				
			By Adam Schuster
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		How Illinois families can face eviction for crimes they didn’t commit
	How Illinois families can face eviction for crimes they didn’t commit
	
		“Crime-free housing” ordinances have clearly gone too far. And Illinoisans shouldn’t feel like unwanted guests in their own homes.	
				
			By Austin Berg
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Chicago defends title of highest sales tax rate in the nation
	Chicago defends title of highest sales tax rate in the nation
	
		Chicago is tied with two other cities for the highest sales tax rates for a major U.S. city, adding another superlative for taxation of residents and visitors. 	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois one of 11 states that lets departing lawmakers immediately become lobbyists
	Illinois one of 11 states that lets departing lawmakers immediately become lobbyists
	
		“Revolving door” laws are intended to stop state lawmakers from getting private jobs after granting political favors. Illinois is one of the few states that does little to curb the practice.	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		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.	
				
			By Adam Schuster
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		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.	
				
			By Vincent Caruso