New Illinois budget includes $224 million for Obama Presidential Center
New Illinois budget includes $224 million for Obama Presidential Center
The state’s fiscal year 2019 budget is out of balance by as much as $1.5 billion.
En route to Rauner’s desk: Victories for licensing reform, regulatory rollback and axing golden parachutes
En route to Rauner’s desk: Victories for licensing reform, regulatory rollback and axing golden parachutes
Nearly 600 bills are on their way to the governor, some of which would be encouraging changes to the status quo.
Changes to federal SALT deduction expose Illinois’ high taxes
Changes to federal SALT deduction expose Illinois’ high taxes
House Bill 4237 seeks to get around Congress’ limitation of a federal deduction that benefits high-tax states, but residents would be better served by efforts to directly reduce state and local taxes in Illinois.
Nepotistic hires highlight township government waste
Nepotistic hires highlight township government waste
Two McHenry County highway commissioners hired each other’s sons to township government positions in 2017. Despite concerns of nepotism, these practices are not uncommon in township government.
Rahm’s proposal would push Chicago Airbnb taxes above 23 percent
Rahm’s proposal would push Chicago Airbnb taxes above 23 percent
The mayor’s proposed 2 percent fee would punish short-term rental customers and providers.
State government watchdogs remain far too tame
State government watchdogs remain far too tame
Illinoisans shouldn’t have to wait for yet another humiliating scandal to fix what’s wrong here: Politicians should have no place in policing their own oversight.
Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers
Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers
It is time to give taxpayers and businesses the certainty they need to plan a long-term future in the state.
Harvey revenue agreement highlights need for pension reform – or municipal bankruptcy
Harvey revenue agreement highlights need for pension reform – or municipal bankruptcy
Illinois’ pension laws are forcing the city of Harvey to pay its creditors through short-term negotiated agreements just to meet payroll.
No one coming
No one coming
Illinois lawmaker proposes making Chicago its own state
Illinois lawmaker proposes making Chicago its own state
Despite political differences between Chicago and much of the rest of the Land of Lincoln, making Chicago its own state is not a serious idea or good use of time.
Michigan becomes latest Illinois neighbor to repeal prevailing wage mandate
Michigan becomes latest Illinois neighbor to repeal prevailing wage mandate
Michigan nixed a law mandating inflated wages for public construction projects. The Prairie State should follow suit.
Cullerton’s Thompson Center Budget Math
Cullerton’s Thompson Center Budget Math
Belleville has seen sharpest population decline among top Illinois cities since 2010
Belleville has seen sharpest population decline among top Illinois cities since 2010
As Illinois struggles to address its people problem, population loss has plagued communities across the Land of Lincoln. But the shrinkage in some areas has been more severe than others.
Coca-Cola distributor relocating facility, 143 jobs to Iowa from Rock Island
Coca-Cola distributor relocating facility, 143 jobs to Iowa from Rock Island
Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Co. plans to move its Rock Island facility to Walcott, Iowa, where the company is expected to receive substantial tax incentives.