State of Illinois confirms new budget is out of balance by $1.2B
State of Illinois confirms new budget is out of balance by $1.2B
Despite claims from some state lawmakers that the fiscal year 2019 budget is balanced, official reports to bond buyers admit a deficit of more than $1 billion.
By Adam Schuster
Illinoisans could see license suspended for texting while driving under new state law
Illinoisans could see license suspended for texting while driving under new state law
A new state law could result in a suspended license for drivers operating handheld electronic devices while behind the wheel.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois township pensioners have collected nearly $300M over past 20 years
Illinois township pensioners have collected nearly $300M over past 20 years
While often regarded as a duplicative and unnecessary unit of government, former township employees in Illinois have banked more than $273 million in pension benefits since 1998.
Small business owners give Illinois an ‘F’ in friendliness
Small business owners give Illinois an ‘F’ in friendliness
A recent survey found Illinois to be the least accommodating state in the nation for small businesses.
By Vincent Caruso
Rauner signs bill shedding light on school district administrative spending
Rauner signs bill shedding light on school district administrative spending
The new law will bring more transparency to Illinois school districts’ administrative costs, which are among the highest in the nation.
Rauner signs bill allowing consolidation of mosquito abatement districts
Rauner signs bill allowing consolidation of mosquito abatement districts
With the signing of Senate Bill 2543, taxpayers could soon see savings – and more efficiency – in local government.
Rest of the nation sees 31 percent faster jobs growth vs. Illinois in 2018
Rest of the nation sees 31 percent faster jobs growth vs. Illinois in 2018
Illinois experienced its sixth consecutive month of jobs growth in July, yet continues to trail the pace of growth in the rest of the nation for 2018.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Rauner signs bill preventing professional license suspension for student loan delinquencies
Rauner signs bill preventing professional license suspension for student loan delinquencies
A new law will ensure Illinoisans don’t lose their right to practice their professions if they fall behind on student loan payments.
By Amy Korte
Amid controversy, political township couple banks nearly $100K in pension benefits
Amid controversy, political township couple banks nearly $100K in pension benefits
Voted out of office in 2017 amid allegations of patronage and waste, Algonquin Township’s former highway commissioner has since found work at neighboring townships – while collecting a handsome pension from his former employer.
Free beer: How Illinois could become the country’s craft capital
Free beer: How Illinois could become the country’s craft capital
State lawmakers should seize the momentum in Illinois. Let your people brew. And transport. And sell.
By Austin Berg
Taxpayer victory: Rauner signs bill axing ‘golden parachute’ payouts for public officials
Taxpayer victory: Rauner signs bill axing ‘golden parachute’ payouts for public officials
The Government Severance Pay Act places a cap on – and attaches strings to – golden parachute severance payouts for outgoing government employees.
By Vincent Caruso
Play money: Former Park District of Highland Park employees taking home 6-figure pensions
Play money: Former Park District of Highland Park employees taking home 6-figure pensions
More than a dozen city and park district retirees in Highland Park have received more than $1 million in pension benefits each.
By Austin Berg