Proposed Belleville budget hikes taxes on residents
Proposed Belleville budget hikes taxes on residents
The proposed $100.8 million budget will spend millions on police and fire pensions as well as a 3 percent pay raise for city workers.
Des Plaines approves nearly $200K salary for city manager
Des Plaines approves nearly $200K salary for city manager
Despite living in one of the most overtaxed counties in the country, the Des Plaines City Council approved an $11,255 salary increase for its city manager, raising the cost of government even more for taxpayers.
Revised data show Decatur added 400 jobs in 2017
Revised data show Decatur added 400 jobs in 2017
Revisions from the Bureau of Labor Statistics flipped Decatur’s jobs growth from negative to positive over the year, though the growth was meager.
Lake Forest city attorney resigns following investigation into secret lobbying payments
Lake Forest city attorney resigns following investigation into secret lobbying payments
In an effort to lure backing for an Amtrak train stop, a February report showed nearly $200,000 traveled from Lake Forest to a Washington, D.C., lobbying firm. The city attorney, whose private law firm processed the transaction, has resigned from office.
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.