Rauner vetoes Lake County assessor bill
Rauner vetoes Lake County assessor bill
Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a measure that would let Lake County voters elect an assessor, suggesting that it apply to all counties instead.
Niles school district employee receives extra $66K in payroll error, only required to pay back half
Niles school district employee receives extra $66K in payroll error, only required to pay back half
Due to a payroll error, a part-time school library worker was overpaid $66,000 over five years, but will only be required to pay back half that amount under a settlement agreement between the school district, the employee and her union.
Moody’s: Illinois pension debt-to-revenue ratio hits all-time high for any state
Moody’s: Illinois pension debt-to-revenue ratio hits all-time high for any state
According to a new report by Moody’s Investors Service, Illinois’ unfunded pension liabilities equaled 601 percent of state revenues in 2017, a U.S. record.
Rauner rejects bill aiming to squeeze out rental car competition
Rauner rejects bill aiming to squeeze out rental car competition
Using his amendatory veto authority, the governor blocked a proposal by the General Assembly that would have protected traditional rental car companies by stifling car-sharing startups.
Illinois’ Gordian knot: Pensions, insolvency and the ‘b word’
Illinois’ Gordian knot: Pensions, insolvency and the ‘b word’
If lawmakers continue to balk at building the tools necessary to reform pensions, bankruptcy will be the only way out for communities across the state.
Union bullying in school
Union bullying in school
Crowding out: Pension pressure leads to layoffs in Peoria
Crowding out: Pension pressure leads to layoffs in Peoria
The city of Peoria, Illinois sent layoff notices to 27 employees in an effort to fill a budget hole caused by growing pension costs.
Rauner signs bill banning ticket quotas in Chicago
Rauner signs bill banning ticket quotas in Chicago
Chicago will no longer be exempted from a state law barring Illinois municipalities from imposing ticket quotas on local police departments.
Will lawmakers push per-mile driving tax in Illinois?
Will lawmakers push per-mile driving tax in Illinois?
Illinoisans already get hosed at the pump, but politicians are looking for new ways to soak drivers.
Momentum builds for pardon of Peoria man who served 15 years for drug offense
Momentum builds for pardon of Peoria man who served 15 years for drug offense
Jason Spyres was arrested on drug charges nearly 20 years ago. In the years since, he’s been on a path of personal success and growth. A pardon from Gov. Bruce Rauner should follow.
Taxpayer-subsidized manufacturer shutters Illinois plant
Taxpayer-subsidized manufacturer shutters Illinois plant
Despite years of taxpayer subsidies, rail car manufacturer Nippon Sharyo has closed its Rochelle plant – pointing to a reality some politicians don’t want to face.
Rauner signs bill allowing medical marijuana alternative for opioid prescriptions
Rauner signs bill allowing medical marijuana alternative for opioid prescriptions
The Alternative to Opioids Act will give more Illinoisans the option to treat pain with medical marijuana.
Springfield taxpayers could see savings through township consolidation
Springfield taxpayers could see savings through township consolidation
A ballot question asking voters whether to eliminate Capital Township could bring savings to Springfield taxpayers – but that would just be one of many steps worth taking to lower Springfield’s high property taxes.