State of Illinois loses $4 million in lottery revenue due to budget crisis
State of Illinois loses $4 million in lottery revenue due to budget crisis
That total comes from $2.4 million lost due to the absence of Powerball ticket sales and $1.4 million lost due to the absence of Mega Millions ticket sales.
By John Kristof
Income report shows Illinois staggering along with nation’s worst income growth
Income report shows Illinois staggering along with nation’s worst income growth
Illinois’ 32 percent income tax hike will steal nearly an entire year’s worth of income growth from Illinoisans.
By Michael Lucci
Sales tax hikes take effect in 50 Illinois taxing districts
Sales tax hikes take effect in 50 Illinois taxing districts
More than 50 Illinois counties, municipalities and business districts started imposing sales tax increases ranging from 0.25-1.5 percent as of July 1.
By John Kristof
Moody’s warns of another credit downgrade for CPS after district fails to make full $733 million pension payment
Moody’s warns of another credit downgrade for CPS after district fails to make full $733 million pension payment
Chicago Public Schools failed to pay in full the $733 million pension payment that was due June 30, instead making a partial payment of $464 million, even after taking out a $387 million loan from JPMorgan.
By Robert Brutvan
Illinois lawmakers pass permanent income tax hike, override Rauner’s veto
Illinois lawmakers pass permanent income tax hike, override Rauner’s veto
The Illinois House of Representatives has completed an override of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a budget plan, including multibillion-dollar tax increases.
By Austin Berg
Illinoisans are still waiting for independence
Illinoisans are still waiting for independence
More than 240 years ago, a group of individuals stood up against a far-off king who taxed them without recourse. Americans honor their efforts each year on Independence Day. The Illinois General Assembly had a funny way of celebrating this year. On July 2, the Illinois House of Representatives passed a budget that includes the...
By Austin Berg
Federal judge’s Illinois Medicaid ruling squeezes state government cash flow
Federal judge’s Illinois Medicaid ruling squeezes state government cash flow
Medicaid has ballooned to cover more than a quarter of Illinois’ population, with spending at $5.4 billion, up 141 percent 2015 compared with 2000. Now that a federal judge has ruled Illinois must speed up its Medicaid payments, the state’s Medicaid payment will increase $83 million each month, for a total monthly payment of $376 million.
By Craig Lesner, Ted Dabrowski
Moody’s clears the air: Illinois under review for possible downgrade to ‘junk’ status because of debt crisis
Moody’s clears the air: Illinois under review for possible downgrade to ‘junk’ status because of debt crisis
Though the Illinois House of Representatives appears close to overriding Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a tax hike budget plan, and thereby ending Illinois’ more than two years without a full-year budget, Moody’s Investors Service has said it might still downgrade the state’s credit, largely due to Illinois’ unsustainable debt.
By Michael Lucci