Yes, Speaker Madigan, you have a culture problem
Yes, Speaker Madigan, you have a culture problem
The speaker protects his own. Despite the growing tally of victims, that’s why so many lawmakers are still lining up to protect him.
McHenry County realtors face daunting task – selling homes with sky-high property tax bills
McHenry County realtors face daunting task – selling homes with sky-high property tax bills
Local realtors are having a difficult time convincing clients not only to move to the county, but to stay.
House committee passes bill capping growth in administrative spending at Illinois schools
House committee passes bill capping growth in administrative spending at Illinois schools
Illinois' spending on administrative costs is among the highest in the nation, sapping scarce dollars from the classroom. But a new bill would slow the growth in these expenses and align them with taxpayers' ability to pay.
Forgotten Illinois Decatur: The Soy City’s search for its comeback
Forgotten Illinois Decatur: The Soy City’s search for its comeback
Central Illinois, historically, has been known for its strong agricultural and manufacturing roots. And that reputation isn’t just local, it’s global. “The first time I had heard of Decatur I was looking at a sewer cap manufactured here – in Paris, France,” said Christine Gregory, the CEO of Dove Inc., a Decatur-based nonprofit providing programs and...
Janus v. AFSCME: The myth of ‘free riders’
Janus v. AFSCME: The myth of ‘free riders’
Government unions claim providing workers with a choice whether to pay fees to a union will result in "free riders" - but that claim is disingenuous.
New bill would allow state to place a lien on business owners’ property for unpaid wage allegations
New bill would allow state to place a lien on business owners’ property for unpaid wage allegations
A bill in the Illinois House of Representatives would allow the Illinois Department of Labor to place a lien on a business owner's property should he or she fail to respond to an allegation of unpaid wages within five days.
Janus v. AFSCME union march
Janus v. AFSCME union march
US Supreme Court hears oral arguments in labor case centered on Illinois state worker
US Supreme Court hears oral arguments in labor case centered on Illinois state worker
Springfield native Mark Janus saw his case come before the U.S. Supreme Court for oral arguments Feb. 26.
New bill would hike, expand obscure tax for Illinois small businesses
New bill would hike, expand obscure tax for Illinois small businesses
State Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch has proposed a measure that would increase by 400 percent the personal property replacement tax imposed on partnerships, LLCs and other types of businesses.
Despite high tax bills, Des Plaines City Council buys theater for $1.3M
Despite high tax bills, Des Plaines City Council buys theater for $1.3M
Local leaders are putting taxpayers on the hook for a development gamble.
Illinois spends more on education, but outcomes lag
Illinois spends more on education, but outcomes lag
Misplaced priorities in Illinois' education system may be the reason students are less prepared for college than peers in other states.
Rock Island County taxpayers can’t keep up with the rate of state spending
Rock Island County taxpayers can’t keep up with the rate of state spending
As the state continuously spends more than residents can afford, taxpayers in Rock Island County have seen little income growth.
City of Springfield passes unbalanced budget despite bevy of new tax hikes
City of Springfield passes unbalanced budget despite bevy of new tax hikes
The city's budget for fiscal year 2019 was accompanied by increases in sales and telecom taxes. But local officials still anticipate a deficit.
Carl and Dewana Perry
Carl and Dewana Perry
“We’re a Navy family. One of the things Navy families do is move frequently. When we bought this place, we intended on staying in it at least until we retired and moved back down south to Mississippi, which was always in the cards. “We worry about the value of course four, five years down the...