Federal investigation exposes Madigan patronage
Federal investigation exposes Madigan patronage
With House Speaker Mike Madigan’s longevity comes a patronage army paid with public dollars.
Illinois stopgap budget
Illinois stopgap budget
Pension board votes to revoke lawmaker pension for Hastert
Pension board votes to revoke lawmaker pension for Hastert
Former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert had been receiving nearly $30,000 annually from the underfunded General Assembly Retirement System.
Chicago Public Schools budget shortfall: a manufactured crisis
Chicago Public Schools budget shortfall: a manufactured crisis
Chicago Public Schools is faced with the possibility of closing school early while Chicago sits on massive property wealth.
New bill would identify Illinois lawmakers who haven’t filed tax returns
New bill would identify Illinois lawmakers who haven’t filed tax returns
Illinois House Bill 4039 would reveal publicly the names of state lawmakers who haven’t filed their state tax returns.
Homeowners in collar counties pay highest property taxes in Illinois
Homeowners in collar counties pay highest property taxes in Illinois
Residents of Chicago’s collar counties pay the highest property taxes in the state – and some of the highest in the country.
Illinois tax hikes
Illinois tax hikes
2 graphics show why Illinois’ social services and taxpayers are getting stiffed
2 graphics show why Illinois’ social services and taxpayers are getting stiffed
Government worker retirement costs and interest on state retirement debt are squeezing out funding for social service providers and taxpayer relief.
Illinois state Rep. Mussman’s property tax scam
Illinois state Rep. Mussman’s property tax scam
BLS jobs report shows weak economy in Illinois, recovery in neighboring states
BLS jobs report shows weak economy in Illinois, recovery in neighboring states
Illinois saw a 0.23 percent increase in jobs in the first quarter of 2017, the third-worst growth rate in the region.
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Despite Illinois’ severe financial problems, less than 3 percent of bills passed by the 99th General Assembly and enacted into law have fiscal notes.
Chicago aldermen propose $33 per employee ‘head tax’ on city employers
Chicago aldermen propose $33 per employee ‘head tax’ on city employers
At a time when businesses are fleeing the state, a group of Chicago aldermen are attempting to revive the employer’s expense tax to bail out Chicago Public Schools.
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Despite Illinois’ severe financial problems, less than 3 percent of bills passed by the 99th General Assembly and enacted into law have fiscal notes.