Flying blind: Illinois’ revenue estimates and the basics of bad budgeting
Flying blind: Illinois’ revenue estimates and the basics of bad budgeting
Lawmakers can’t balance the budget if they don’t know how much they have to spend.
Report: AFSCME protected ‘seemingly untouchable’ employee from termination, despite history of violence and sexual harassment
Report: AFSCME protected ‘seemingly untouchable’ employee from termination, despite history of violence and sexual harassment
A Chicago city worker terminated in 2017 exhibited a pattern of serious misconduct spanning nearly 20 years. But Illinois’ largest public sector union won him back his job.
3 Illinois metro areas saw jobs decline in 2017, 9 see growth in February
3 Illinois metro areas saw jobs decline in 2017, 9 see growth in February
Illinois’ metro areas added 11,300 jobs in February, while only one metro area lost jobs over the month. Despite strong employment growth from metro areas in February, Illinois is still far behind U.S. growth over the last 12 months.
Chicago Park District pension reform ruled unconstitutional
Chicago Park District pension reform ruled unconstitutional
The ruling will likely mean higher taxes for Chicagoans.
The ‘friendly’ tax hike taking shape in Springfield
The ‘friendly’ tax hike taking shape in Springfield
Protecting taxpayers by ensuring they’re getting a state government they can afford? That’s friendly.
The painful push for a progressive tax in Illinois
The painful push for a progressive tax in Illinois
Instead of pushing for further tax hikes on tapped-out taxpayers, lawmakers should rally behind a bipartisan effort to limit state spending.
Illinois Senate holds hearing on sports betting legalization
Illinois Senate holds hearing on sports betting legalization
As a looming U.S. Supreme Court decision could lift a federal ban on sports betting, state lawmakers hear testimony on whether Illinois should follow suit.
Does your lawmaker oppose a progressive income tax?
Does your lawmaker oppose a progressive income tax?
One progressive tax proposal filed in the Illinois House of Representatives would hike income taxes on Illinoisans earning as little as $17,300 a year.
Union pay raise could force Kane County property tax hike
Union pay raise could force Kane County property tax hike
As Kane County officials prepare for union contract negotiations, county taxpayers might soon be bracing for higher property taxes.
AFSCME Easter Eggs
AFSCME Easter Eggs
Progressive tax proposal would mean as much as a $600 tax hike for typical Metro East family
Progressive tax proposal would mean as much as a $600 tax hike for typical Metro East family
Though some politicians claim a progressive income tax would only affect the rich, rates established under House Bill 3522 would raise income taxes on middle-class families.
Former East St. Louis township officials diverted nearly $1M in youth program funds
Former East St. Louis township officials diverted nearly $1M in youth program funds
Two township administrators took state grant funds intended for a summer youth program to cover up for illegal credit card purchases.
9 Schaumburg Park District employees take home more than $100K per year
9 Schaumburg Park District employees take home more than $100K per year
Park district documents reveal multiple employees making six-figure salaries.
Lake County homeowners: Where do your property taxes go?
Lake County homeowners: Where do your property taxes go?
In 2017 alone, Lake County billed homeowners $1.8 billion in property taxes. Owners of a median-valued home in Lake Forest received a $13,600 property tax bill.