Majority of Illinois voters support a ‘no-tax-hike budget’
Majority of Illinois voters support a ‘no-tax-hike budget’
More than half of Illinois voters want lawmakers to balance the budget by only cutting state spending.
Taxpayers lose first round to AFSCME in appellate court
Taxpayers lose first round to AFSCME in appellate court
An Illinois appellate court issued an order on March 1 preventing Gov. Bruce Rauner from implementing his contract offer to AFSCME, the union that represents approximately 35,000 state workers. That means the state and Illinois taxpayers will continue to lose millions of dollars a month while the case proceeds.
Questions of Justice: The Nicarico Murder Case
Questions of Justice: The Nicarico Murder Case
Illinois is home to the nation's sixth-highest rate of wrongful convictions. The story of Aurora's Rolando Cruz is one harrowing example.
Illinois pitches sales tax for Netflix, Spotify, other streaming services
Illinois pitches sales tax for Netflix, Spotify, other streaming services
A new proposal from state Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Chicago Heights, would tax internet streaming services in Illinois, much like the potentially illegal internet streaming tax implemented in Chicago.
Opting out of AFSCME membership: FAQs on fair share payers
Opting out of AFSCME membership: FAQs on fair share payers
AFSCME Executive Director Roberta Lynch announced Feb. 23 that union members voted to authorize a state worker strike. But state workers have another option. By becoming a fair share payer, state workers can report to work during a strike without facing union punishment. Here’s what state workers need to know about fair share status.
Illinois senator pitches expanding sales tax to tattoos, manicures and pedicures, more
Illinois senator pitches expanding sales tax to tattoos, manicures and pedicures, more
In the wake of the “grand bargain” budget plan failure, an Illinois politician has proposed applying the 6.25 percent state sales tax to a broad range of services.
The truth about your property tax bill
The truth about your property tax bill
Taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for such costly promises as they struggle to find opportunities of their own.
Illinois ended 2016 with highest black unemployment rate of any state
Illinois ended 2016 with highest black unemployment rate of any state
Illinois had the highest black unemployment rate of any state at the end of 2016, holding that distinction for six consecutive quarters, according to analysis by the Economic Policy Institute. The Land of Lincoln also has the largest gap between its white and black unemployment rates.
Making Illinois smart on crime: How to improve felony theft outcomes
Making Illinois smart on crime: How to improve felony theft outcomes
Raising the felony theft threshold won't lead to an increase in overall property crime or larceny rates.
Senate ‘grand bargain’ breakdown
Senate ‘grand bargain’ breakdown
The Senate adjourned yesterday without taking any votes on the "grand bargain."
Linda Chapa La Via
Linda Chapa La Via
Illinois takes steps to more easily replace striking workers
Illinois takes steps to more easily replace striking workers
Following a strike authorization vote by the union representing Illinois workers, the state launched a website that streamlines the application process for temporary workers. It allows the state to more easily carry on operations should state workers decide to walk out on the job.
10 reasons Illinois’ ‘grand bargain’ fails taxpayers
10 reasons Illinois’ ‘grand bargain’ fails taxpayers
The Illinois Senate’s proposed budget deal is full of tax hikes because it lacks the necessary spending reforms needed to right Illinois’ fiscal ship.
Flow of Illinoisans into Indiana is becoming a flood
Flow of Illinoisans into Indiana is becoming a flood
Nearly 20,000 Illinoisans on net moved to the Hoosier State in 2015.