Illinois lawmaker files legislation allowing delay of legislator pay after court ruling says politicians must be paid
Illinois lawmaker files legislation allowing delay of legislator pay after court ruling says politicians must be paid
State Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorne Woods, filed legislation March 23 that would give the Illinois Comptroller’s office discretion to delay payments to lawmakers if insufficient funding exists to do so. This came just hours after a Cook County judge said lawmakers must be paid.
Cook County has largest population loss of any county in the U.S.
Cook County has largest population loss of any county in the U.S.
Newly released census data show 89 of Illinois’ 102 counties, and most of the state’s metro areas, have shrinking populations due to out-migration.
By Michael Lucci
Bill Roberts
Bill Roberts
“I thought I would never go back into a factory job. “Because where [Hoist Liftruck] started out in Bedford Park, I was there when I was 18 years old with a different outfit. And it was weird that I went back … right back into busting knuckles again. “It’s a lot cheaper in Indiana. Everything’s...
Each Illinois household on the hook for $56K in government-worker retirement debt
Each Illinois household on the hook for $56K in government-worker retirement debt
In 2010, the unfunded debt related to pensions and retiree health care costs for local and state government workers across Illinois was $203 billion, the equivalent of more than $43,000 per household. In just six years, the total debt Illinois households are on the hook for has jumped to $56,000, or 31 percent. That’s a $13,000 increase for each household. Total unfunded debt for state and local governments in Illinois now totals $267 billion.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
A simple workers’ comp fix could save lives
A simple workers’ comp fix could save lives
Physician-dispensed drugs account for more than 60 percent of the cost of prescriptions covered by workers’ comp in Illinois.
By Austin Berg
Rauner calls for closed-circuit cameras to replace watchtower guards in effort to cut overtime costs
Rauner calls for closed-circuit cameras to replace watchtower guards in effort to cut overtime costs
A spokeswoman for the governor said the measure would cut overtime costs and help reduce the state’s corrections budget.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois lawmaker proposes legislation to legalize marijuana
Illinois lawmaker proposes legislation to legalize marijuana
Under state Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s proposal, Illinoisans age 21 and older could legally possess, manufacture and sell marijuana.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world
Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world
State and local tax hikes in Illinois have hurt economic growth, lowered the standard of living, and contributed to out-migration.
‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M
‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M
Proposed legislation to commemorate former President Barack Obama’s birthday as a state holiday in Illinois would have cost taxpayers nearly $20 million in state personnel expenses and lost productivity.
Illinois Supreme Court won’t hear state employee pay case immediately
Illinois Supreme Court won’t hear state employee pay case immediately
The Illinois Supreme Court refused to hear Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s request to stop state employees from getting paid until a budget is passed.
By Brendan Bakala
Taxpayers deserve say in the teachers’ union contracts they pay for
Taxpayers deserve say in the teachers’ union contracts they pay for
Negotiations between government-worker unions and governing bodies are conducted behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny. And yet taxpayers are required to pay for whatever extravagant benefits the unions obtain. Recently a bill in the General Assembly would have brought more transparency – and accountability – to the process, but it failed to make it out of committee.
By Mailee Smith
Lawmakers and special interests propose revamped EDGE tax credit program
Lawmakers and special interests propose revamped EDGE tax credit program
As state debts mount and budget plans remain in limbo, Illinois lawmakers move to expand EDGE tax credits.
By Brendan Bakala
Judge says lawmakers shouldn’t be paid ahead of everyone else
Judge says lawmakers shouldn’t be paid ahead of everyone else
Judge Garcia points to the lack of a budget as reason enough to delay payments to legislators.
By Brendan Bakala