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.
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.
Balanced budget performance
Balanced budget performance
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.
No. 2 New Jersey confronts pension crisis as No. 1 Illinois dithers
No. 2 New Jersey confronts pension crisis as No. 1 Illinois dithers
The New Jersey Senate president is proposing solutions to the state’s pension problem. Illinois is worse off, but state leaders remain silent on reforms.
What you need to know about Illinois’ gambling expansion
What you need to know about Illinois’ gambling expansion
Answers to frequently asked questions about new casinos and sports betting in Illinois.
Pritzker’s tax hikes: blowing smoke
Pritzker’s tax hikes: blowing smoke
Pritzker signs Illinois budget out of balance by up to $1.3 billion
Pritzker signs Illinois budget out of balance by up to $1.3 billion
Contrary to claims from both Republicans and Democrats, and despite raising nearly $1.1 billion in new taxes and fees for operations, the fiscal year 2020 budget is out of balance by between $574 million and $1.3 billion.
Fair tax: Scorpion and the Frog
Fair tax: Scorpion and the Frog
Regulatory confusion swipes frozen pizzas off local pub counters
Regulatory confusion swipes frozen pizzas off local pub counters
Revisions to state food safety regulations have forced some local pubs to ditch their toaster ovens.
Lightfoot gives corruption the boot
Lightfoot gives corruption the boot
Summer brings pay hike for Illinois state lawmakers, pay cut for you
Summer brings pay hike for Illinois state lawmakers, pay cut for you
Springfield politicians talking out of both sides of their mouths on tax “fairness” is one of many reasons they didn’t deserve a raise.
Illinois’ cigarette tax to become one of nation’s highest
Illinois’ cigarette tax to become one of nation’s highest
A $1 cigarette tax hike included in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s infrastructure plan will make Illinois’ tax on cigarette packs among the highest in the nation.
Pritzker approves $1,600 pay raises for state lawmakers
Pritzker approves $1,600 pay raises for state lawmakers
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law a budget that includes pay raises for state lawmakers, as Illinoisans brace for a number of new tax hikes.