Rich Roth
Rich Roth
“I’ve lived in Clinton since I was two years old. “The moving company is coming June 1. I sold my business as of this morning. “This is where the state loses. My income is fairly healthy. My wife’s income is fairly healthy. And we’re taking our two kids and we’re gone. “I built my house...
Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes
Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes
Residents of St. Clair and Madison Counties will soon see some of the nation’s most punishing property tax bills.
By Austin Berg
Inspector general: Personnel, procedural errors cost Cook County hospital system $165 million in revenue
Inspector general: Personnel, procedural errors cost Cook County hospital system $165 million in revenue
While the county hospital system loses out on revenue, county payroll and retirement costs continue to climb.
By Eric Kohn
Civic Federation calls for tax hikes, opposes sensible reform in budget criticism
Civic Federation calls for tax hikes, opposes sensible reform in budget criticism
The Civic Federation’s criticism of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget is a mixed bag, with its own proposals for Illinois’ financial crisis – including nearly $3 billion in tax hikes – missing the mark.
Illinois families catching crossfire in scholarship fight
Illinois families catching crossfire in scholarship fight
Despite that booming demand, there are political efforts afoot to crush the scholarship program.
By Austin Berg
Proposal: Make Illinois property taxes highest in the nation to pay state pension debts
Proposal: Make Illinois property taxes highest in the nation to pay state pension debts
A proposal to levy a statewide 1 percent residential property tax would vault Illinoisans’ property tax burden to the highest of all 50 states.
By Austin Berg
Carbondale employees see raises despite deeply underwater pension funds
Carbondale employees see raises despite deeply underwater pension funds
As local leaders reach an agreement with the city’s public safety unions, the retirement security of Carbondale’s police and fire workers slides further out of reach.
By Vincent Caruso
In budget bind, Decatur cuts golf sponsorship
In budget bind, Decatur cuts golf sponsorship
The Decatur City Council moved to stop paying $20,000 to sponsor a golf tournament with the village of Forsyth, a sensible move for a shrinking city operating on a budget deficit.
US Supreme Court ruling means Illinois could legalize sports betting
US Supreme Court ruling means Illinois could legalize sports betting
A decisive opinion issued by the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a 1992 ban on sports gambling, putting the ball in Springfield’s court.
By Vincent Caruso
Forgotten Illinois Harvey: Fixing a broken city in a broken state
Forgotten Illinois Harvey: Fixing a broken city in a broken state
Most days in Harvey, a suburb 20 miles south of Chicago, are quiet. Thousands of people and numerous businesses have left the city over the years, and the void left in their wake is plain to see. But on a cold and wet April 14, dozens of longtime residents still fighting for what’s left packed...