Illinois borrows $1.5B as S&P confirms rating is one notch above junk
Illinois borrows $1.5B as S&P confirms rating is one notch above junk
S&P Global Ratings has warned that Illinois’ bond sale to help pay old bills could merely add more debt to Illinois’ burden if the state does not also enact fiscal reforms.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Sweetened beverage tax repeal passes out of committee
Sweetened beverage tax repeal passes out of committee
The Cook County Board Finance Committee voted Oct. 10 in favor of an ordinance to repeal the unpopular sweetened beverage tax. The repeal measure now awaits a vote before the full board.
By Brendan Bakala
Decatur is Illinois’ fastest-shrinking city since 2010
Decatur is Illinois’ fastest-shrinking city since 2010
Decatur lost 3,400 residents from 2010 to 2016, or about 4.5 percent of its population.
By Brendan Bakala
Janus v. AFSCME could mean more freedom for Illinois’ government workers
Janus v. AFSCME could mean more freedom for Illinois’ government workers
For four decades, government workers have been denied their First Amendment right to freedom of association, but that could change with a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2018.
By Mailee Smith
Former superintendent facing embezzlement and wire fraud charges
Former superintendent facing embezzlement and wire fraud charges
Lawrence Wyllie is accused of stealing public funds and using school district money for dog obedience schools.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois drivers fight back against red-light cameras
Illinois drivers fight back against red-light cameras
Motorists and Abolish Red Light Cameras have filed suit against Crestwood over the village’s red-light camera at Cicero Avenue and Cal Sag Road.
By Brendan Bakala
Billions in unpaid health care bills shine a light on overly generous benefits
Billions in unpaid health care bills shine a light on overly generous benefits
State workers receive a platinum-level health care plan at a heavily subsidized cost, while Illinoisans in the private sector paying for those plans see their own premiums skyrocket.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
More than 2,200 Cook County workers receive salaries over $100,000
More than 2,200 Cook County workers receive salaries over $100,000
More than 2,200 Cook County workers receive salaries over $100,000. For career county workers, that means pensions worth millions of dollars over the course of their retirements.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Wheeling to use $1 million in TIF funds to build bridge to nowhere
Wheeling to use $1 million in TIF funds to build bridge to nowhere
Wheeling village trustees have voted for a plan to use tax increment financing to build a bridge to a vacant piece of land.
By Amy Korte