Illinois Senate passes Cullerton budget, out of balance by as much as $1.5B
Illinois Senate passes Cullerton budget, out of balance by as much as $1.5B
State senators voted to approve the 1,245-page budget just hours after it was made public.
Shrinking communities bode ill for Illinois’ economy
Shrinking communities bode ill for Illinois’ economy
More than three-quarters Illinois communities lost population over the year, and nearly all of the state’s major metro areas are lagging the nation on key economic indicators.
Illinois lawmakers pass bill raising legal age of tobacco, e-cigarette purchases to 21
Illinois lawmakers pass bill raising legal age of tobacco, e-cigarette purchases to 21
Pending the governor’s signature, the bill would expand Chicago’s smoking age restriction statewide.
Illinois metro areas add 3,300 jobs in April
Illinois metro areas add 3,300 jobs in April
New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show eight of Illinois’ 13 metro areas gained jobs over the month.
As Alton shrinks, school district administrator salaries grow
As Alton shrinks, school district administrator salaries grow
More than half of local school district administrators earn more than $100,000, and those incomes will get a boost after a recent board decision.
More than 230 Belleville school district employees earn more than $100K
More than 230 Belleville school district employees earn more than $100K
Many school district employees’ earnings are more than double that of the typical Belleville household.
Illinois’ southernmost counties see population losses in 2017
Illinois’ southernmost counties see population losses in 2017
As part of Illinois’ statewide population drop in 2017, southern Illinois counties saw a continuation of population losses they’ve been seeing for years.
Taxpayer victory: General Assembly passes bill restricting golden parachutes for government officials
Taxpayer victory: General Assembly passes bill restricting golden parachutes for government officials
Senate Bill 3604 would limit government workers’ ability to collect extravagant severance packages, also known as “golden parachutes,” on their way out of office.
Illinois’ outmigration crisis
Illinois’ outmigration crisis
New census data tell the tale of Quad Cities
New census data tell the tale of Quad Cities
If current population trends hold, Rock Island, Illinois, will take a back seat to Bettendorf, Iowa, within five years.
Highland Park school board awards $300,000 severance to departing superintendent
Highland Park school board awards $300,000 severance to departing superintendent
The excessive severance package comes as a bill curbing golden parachutes sits in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Property-tax-for-pensions plan would pummel Illinois homeowners
Property-tax-for-pensions plan would pummel Illinois homeowners
With one proposal to pay off Illinois’ pension debt asking the typical homeowner to pay more than $1,900 in additional property taxes for the next 30 years, the stakes for pension reform have never been clearer.
Elimination of Alton Township could be placed in voters’ hands
Elimination of Alton Township could be placed in voters’ hands
Taxpayers in the city of Alton, which has identical borders to that of Alton Township, could see savings through consolidation.
Illinois Supreme Court ruling a victory for government transparency
Illinois Supreme Court ruling a victory for government transparency
The court’s ruling strengthens Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act, a crucial tool in holding government officials accountable.