If Frank Mautino didn’t break the rules, the rules are broken
If Frank Mautino didn’t break the rules, the rules are broken
Mautino might not be corrupt. But his conduct mirrored that of a person engaging in corrupt behavior.
Falling Population: Belleville
Falling Population: Belleville
Most of Lake County’s largest communities are shrinking
Most of Lake County’s largest communities are shrinking
Many communities in the northern Illinois border county are having trouble attracting and retaining residents.
East Moline taxpayers could find savings through school district consolidation
East Moline taxpayers could find savings through school district consolidation
While Quad Cities geography connects East Moline and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf, Illinois’ abundance of school districts means their administrative environments are worlds apart. By consolidating duplicative administrative bodies, East Moline could generate taxpayer savings.
Illinois lawmaker introduces bill to repeal fireworks ban
Illinois lawmaker introduces bill to repeal fireworks ban
A new bill in the General Assembly would bring consumer fireworks back onto Illinois shelves for the first time in more than 75 years.
Obscure official made more than $2M off Illinois development authorities, connected side business
Obscure official made more than $2M off Illinois development authorities, connected side business
Andrew Hamilton and his consulting firm have collected more than $2 million from eight regional development authorities since 2010.
More than 75 years later, Illinois’ fireworks ban still law of the land
More than 75 years later, Illinois’ fireworks ban still law of the land
Next year, state lawmakers should explore making rockets’ red glare a legal pastime instead of a liability.
East Alton eyes $35K in savings, but pension woes loom much larger
East Alton eyes $35K in savings, but pension woes loom much larger
Severely underwater public safety pensions have already derailed the finances of other municipalities, such as Harvey and North Chicago.
Government unions cry foul over Janus, but ignore solution to ‘free rider’ claims
Government unions cry foul over Janus, but ignore solution to ‘free rider’ claims
A bill freeing government unions from representing nonmember workers has been filed multiple times in recent years. But rather than rally around it, government unions stand in the way.
Independence Day
Independence Day
Bottle racket: Illinois’ high alcohol taxes boost cost of Independence Day celebrations
Bottle racket: Illinois’ high alcohol taxes boost cost of Independence Day celebrations
The Land of Lincoln has some of the highest alcohol taxes in the Midwest. And Illinoisans preparing for Independence Day are feeling the pinch.
New Bloomington city manager to outearn 49 U.S. governors
New Bloomington city manager to outearn 49 U.S. governors
Decatur City’s city manager is on his way to take the same post in Bloomington, and with it a raise that will push his income above 49 of the nation’s 50 governors.
Failure: On the anniversary of Illinois’ 2017 tax hike
Failure: On the anniversary of Illinois’ 2017 tax hike
One year after a record-setting tax hike the state still can’t balance a budget, has done nothing to solve long-term fiscal problems and has further damaged its economic growth.
Illinois man’s journey shows state’s failure to forgive
Illinois man’s journey shows state’s failure to forgive
By Joe Kaiser Jason Spyres is one of Illinois’ brightest. This summer, he will be headed to California to attend Stanford University on a full-ride engineering scholarship. Like any student getting into a university of that caliber, it was a grind to get to this point. “I’m lucky that I got in,” Spyres said. “It’s...