Illinois has worst rainy-day fund in nation
Illinois has worst rainy-day fund in nation
Illinois has the worst rainy-day fund in the nation and has only enough cash to last for 15 days. It’s the only state that wouldn’t last a month.
Pritzker’s new budget would create state child tax credit
Pritzker’s new budget would create state child tax credit
Illinoisans with children younger than 3 could soon get a break on their state taxes. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s newest budget would let qualifying parents around the state keep $12 million in taxes.
Pensions eat up $11.6B of Illinois’ budget
Pensions eat up $11.6B of Illinois’ budget
Despite taking up 20% of the state’s general funds and $11.6 billion in total, experts said lawmakers still underpaid the five statewide government retirement plans.
DAILY LINKS / 10.15.2024
The Center Square: Stellantis, auto workers dispute over Illinois factory could expand nationwide The Chicago Tribune: Nov. 5 referendums in Chicago’s suburbs: School building projects, backyard chickens and even a roundabout WTTW: No New Fees, Tax Hikes or Layoffs in Toni Preckwinkle’s 2025 Cook County Budget Proposal The Daily Herald: Rosemont trustees vote themselves 10% raise, but mayor’s $260,000 salary stays the same Central Illinois Proud: Washington City Council discusses potential public camping ordinancePritzker budget: $93M income tax hike for record spending
Pritzker budget: $93M income tax hike for record spending
Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to take nearly $100 million more from Illinoisans through state income taxes, averaging $45 per family.
Vallas: Funding should aid students, not boost Chicago Teachers Union job count
Vallas: Funding should aid students, not boost Chicago Teachers Union job count
Chicago Public Schools is changing its funding formula. It should be about student welfare and achievement. It’s really about keeping Chicago Teachers Union jobs intact even as enrollment drops.
Chicago: Democratic Socialist delusions
Chicago: Democratic Socialist delusions
Chicagoans suffer decade-high robberies, record-low arrest rate
Chicagoans suffer decade-high robberies, record-low arrest rate
Chicago saw more robbery victims in 2023 than in any year of the past decade, reporting 1 victim for every 250 residents. While crimes surged, robbery arrests hit a record low. Fewer cops is not helping.
March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year
March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year
Illinoisans are expected to again bet big on college sports during March, driven by March Madness. Sports wagers put $1B into Illinois government accounts last year, ranking it No. 3 in the U.S.
The Rev. Charles Moodie
The Rev. Charles Moodie
“I’m originally from Yonkers, New York. I’ve been married 23 years to my wife, Kehinde, and I have two sons: Joshua, who is 23, and Josiah, who is 21.” “When we were in New York, my wife and I believed Chicago is where God wanted us to be. So, my wife and I resigned our...
The Policy Shop: The real causes of – and solutions to – Chicago poverty
The Policy Shop: The real causes of – and solutions to – Chicago poverty
This edition of The Policy Shop is by Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research Chicago voters soundly rejected raising taxes on businesses and renters March 19 when they told Mayor Brandon Johnson they didn’t trust his lack of a plan to “Bring Chicago Home.” Johnson still didn’t seem to get the message, even...
Editorial: Data can build understanding, help solve Chicago’s crime problem
Editorial: Data can build understanding, help solve Chicago’s crime problem
Violent crime in Chicago increased by 11.5% in 2023, but the city’s arrest rate dropped compared with 2022.
Vallas: 8 ways to fix Chicago housing crisis without Johnson’s tax hike
Vallas: 8 ways to fix Chicago housing crisis without Johnson’s tax hike
Now that Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate transfer tax has failed, here are eight practical ways Chicago can provide more affordable housing without raising taxes.
Chicago Teachers Union demands excluding parents from student pronoun, sexuality info
Chicago Teachers Union demands excluding parents from student pronoun, sexuality info
The Chicago Teachers Union leaders want student information regarding student pronouns and sexual orientation to be kept confidential from parents if that’s what the student wants.