Illinois owes over $250 billion in pension debt
Illinois owes over $250 billion in pension debt
Moody’s Investors Service cited Illinois’ $250 billion in pension debt and the lengthy budget impasse as reasons for its one-notch credit downgrade.
Fact-checking Madigan: Rauner’s agenda is packed with budgetary items
Fact-checking Madigan: Rauner’s agenda is packed with budgetary items
Though Illinois Democrats insist Gov. Bruce Rauner’s reform agenda has nothing to do with the state’s budget, Rauner’s original proposed spending reforms would allow the state to balance its budget without hitting up taxpayers for more revenue.
Illinois has the lowest credit rating on record for a U.S. state
Illinois has the lowest credit rating on record for a U.S. state
S&P cited Illinois lawmakers’ failure to pass a budget and the lengthy budget impasse as reasons for its one-notch credit downgrade. Over the years, Illinois’ state credit rating has been downgraded multiple times due to massive spending and excessive borrowing.
Illinois government workers who switch careers can lose big chunk of retirement savings
Illinois government workers who switch careers can lose big chunk of retirement savings
Pensions punish government workers who leave state employment early. 401(k)s don’t.
Illinois should make public university tuition more affordable – not subsidize inflated costs with tax dollars
Illinois should make public university tuition more affordable – not subsidize inflated costs with tax dollars
House Bill 1316 would force taxpayers to help fill the gap between high tuition costs and student affordability. The bill would increase government spending, but undermine Illinois’ public colleges and universities' incentive to lower tuition costs to compete for students.
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.