Taxpayer victory: Illinois House cuts committee bloat
Taxpayer victory: Illinois House cuts committee bloat
A glut of $10,000-a-head committee chair positions has been a key tool for House Speaker Mike Madigan to maintain power over members.
Illinois lawmakers rekindle efforts to raise tobacco purchase age to 21
Illinois lawmakers rekindle efforts to raise tobacco purchase age to 21
Lawmakers in the Illinois House of Representatives failed to override former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of the “Tobacco 21” bill in November. Gov. Pritzker’s administration has signaled support.
Senate bill would create liquor licenses for grocery, other delivery services
Senate bill would create liquor licenses for grocery, other delivery services
Grocery delivery services have been on the rise nationwide. A bill in the General Assembly would allow consumers in Illinois to have distilled spirits delivered by a licensed vendor.
Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Libertyville family by up to $3,500
Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Libertyville family by up to $3,500
While progressive tax proponents champion their “tax on the rich,” middle-income families in Libertyville would see a massive tax hike under the income tax models praised by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
FBI secretly recorded Madigan at his law office
FBI secretly recorded Madigan at his law office
Madigan has long been criticized for his control of a lucrative law firm specializing in Cook County property tax appeals.
Outmigration cooling off
Outmigration cooling off
Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Lake County family by up to $1,400
Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Lake County family by up to $1,400
While progressive tax proponents champion their “tax on the rich,” middle-income families in Lake County – home to the state’s highest property taxes – could see a big tax hike under income tax models praised by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Can Pritzker keep promise to stop Illinois gerrymandering?
Can Pritzker keep promise to stop Illinois gerrymandering?
In the end, redistricting reform could come under the dome in Springfield or by clipboards and signatures on street corners. Either way, those efforts are only helped by the governor holding on to his campaign promise.
Gas tax patience on empty
Gas tax patience on empty
Chicago aldermen give up control of $100M workers’ comp program
Chicago aldermen give up control of $100M workers’ comp program
A federal corruption charge against Chicago Ald. Ed Burke has led peers to hand control of the $100 million-a-year workers’ compensation program to the city finance department. Burke, who had overseen the program for decades, fought program oversight and staffed it with political allies.
Illinois ranks 46 out of 50 states in private sector jobs growth
Illinois ranks 46 out of 50 states in private sector jobs growth
Illinois’ fastest-growing jobs sector in 2018 was government – another sign the state needs pro-growth reforms to keep up with the rest of the country.
State of the state 2019: Past mistakes show path to better future for Illinois
State of the state 2019: Past mistakes show path to better future for Illinois
Reversing the state’s outmigration of residents and encouraging the job creation Illinoisans need to thrive – and the state needs for stable revenues – require lawmakers to rein in government overspending and resist calls for tax hikes that would further depress Illinois’ economic growth.
Chicago ‘tow-and-sell’ operation flips 50K cars, buries drivers in debt
Chicago ‘tow-and-sell’ operation flips 50K cars, buries drivers in debt
Chicago has seized and sold nearly 50,000 impounded vehicles since 2011, hitching drivers to mounting debts, a recent investigation found. The city’s ticketing laws disproportionately harm low-income residents.