Rahm spins as Chicago reels from population flight
Rahm spins as Chicago reels from population flight
Middle class families are unwilling to live in a city where there aren’t enough jobs and the cost of living is too high.
Madigan, Cullerton will hit the pension lottery
Madigan, Cullerton will hit the pension lottery
After just one year of retirement, Madigan’s annual pension will shoot up to more than $130,000.
Illinois fiscal collapse began long before the 2-year budget impasse
Illinois fiscal collapse began long before the 2-year budget impasse
Illinois’ budgetary mess preceded Gov. Bruce Rauner’s tenure, with years of gimmicks, borrowing and broken promises.
Trampoline safety bill passes both Houses of the General Assembly
Trampoline safety bill passes both Houses of the General Assembly
The General Assembly hasn’t made significant traction on a balanced budget before session ends, but the Illinois Senate had time May 30 to pass a bill regulating trampoline safety.
Illinois lawmakers pass legislation to require truth-in-labeling for catfish
Illinois lawmakers pass legislation to require truth-in-labeling for catfish
With legislative session winding down and several items critical to taxpayers yet to be tackled, lawmakers passed a bill regulating the sale of catfish in restaurants.
1.8 million Illinoisans are dependent on food stamps
1.8 million Illinoisans are dependent on food stamps
March 2017 saw 15,000 more Illinoisans on food stamps than March 2016, while the number of Indiana SNAP recipients dropped from March 2016 to March 2017.
Illinois lawmakers pass record sealing expansion
Illinois lawmakers pass record sealing expansion
Both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly have now passed a measure to enable more ex-offenders to petition a court to seal their criminal records. This will help former inmates gain access to employment – and stay out of prison.
Illinois income tax hike to 5% opens door for a progressive tax hike
Illinois income tax hike to 5% opens door for a progressive tax hike
An income tax hike to 5 percent makes a call for a progressive tax system during the 2018 gubernatorial race a much easier sell.
Illinois has higher gas prices than national average, all neighboring states, heading into Memorial Day weekend
Illinois has higher gas prices than national average, all neighboring states, heading into Memorial Day weekend
Motorists in Chicago face higher gas prices than the national and state average, due in part to the multiple layers of taxes heaped upon by state, county and local government.
Lombard school district pays more than $400,000 to dismiss 2 administrators
Lombard school district pays more than $400,000 to dismiss 2 administrators
A DuPage County school district is severing ties with two administrators before their contracts expire, and it’s going to cost taxpayers.
In East Aurora, battle over busing is just the tip of the iceberg
In East Aurora, battle over busing is just the tip of the iceberg
In East Aurora, Illinois, the District 131 school board has approved a proposal to provide bus transportation for students, but the teachers union has balked at a quick implementation of the plan.
“Bigger” Government Association
“Bigger” Government Association
Chicago only major U.S. city to lose population from 2015 to 2016
Chicago only major U.S. city to lose population from 2015 to 2016
While major headlines broke over news that Chicago was the only one of America’s largest 20 cities to shrink from July 2015 to July 2016, most of Illinois’ other cities with 50,000 people or more also lost population.
College students were fleeing Illinois long before the budget impasse
College students were fleeing Illinois long before the budget impasse
Illinois lost 195,000 more college-bound students than it gained from 2000-2014.