$39 billion: Where does Illinois’ tax revenue come from?
$39 billion: Where does Illinois’ tax revenue come from?
Income and sales taxes account for nearly two-thirds of state revenue.
Defending the indefensible: IMRF director on pensions
Defending the indefensible: IMRF director on pensions
The head of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, or IMRF, has dismissed calls for pension reform, disregarding the fact that pensions aren’t manageable, benefits aren’t affordable, and previous “reforms” propped up pensions on the backs of new workers.
State’s record-breaking budgets make Illinoisans poorer
State’s record-breaking budgets make Illinoisans poorer
For each percentage point drop in the private sector’s share of the state economy, Illinois household incomes fall by over $3,000 on average. Unfortunately for Illinoisans, the private sector’s share of the Illinois economy has dwindled as government’s share – enabled through tax-funded spending – has risen to 25 percent.
Marty Bee
Marty Bee
“When my father passed away I was 7 and it was just me and my mom. My mom had a third-grade education. But we never knew we were poor. The family was good, the community was good. If it hadn’t have been for Mr. Lang’s store … I would have never had a Christmas tree....
Illinois takes steps toward consolidating its 7,000 units of government
Illinois takes steps toward consolidating its 7,000 units of government
Illinois’ duplicative and overlapping units of government contribute to the state’s high property tax burden, but luckily some small steps have been taken to consolidate them.
Madigan: This is fine
Madigan: This is fine
Leave your 13-year-old home alone? Police can take him into custody under Illinois law
Leave your 13-year-old home alone? Police can take him into custody under Illinois law
Common sense tells us most 13-year olds are perfectly capable of staying home alone after school while their parent is at work, but in Illinois, common sense isn’t the law.
All I want for Christmas is a new speaker
All I want for Christmas is a new speaker
If Democrats choose Madigan for the 17th time, he will be crowned the longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history.
Amazon adds 1,000 subsidized jobs to Aurora
Amazon adds 1,000 subsidized jobs to Aurora
After receiving incentives and abatements guaranteed by state and local taxpayer dollars, Amazon announces two new facilities in Aurora.
AFSCME Gremlins
AFSCME Gremlins
Illinois’ corporate handout program halted temporarily
Illinois’ corporate handout program halted temporarily
The expiration of the state’s EDGE program – which has given large companies more than $1 billion in tax credits the last 15 years – is good news for taxpayers and should encourage lawmakers to pass real reforms.
Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population
Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population
Illinois has record loss of 114,000 residents to other states in 2016 as population shrinks by 37,500.
Chicago Airbnb hosts made $73 million in 2016, despite roadblocks by Chicago City Council, hotel lobby
Chicago Airbnb hosts made $73 million in 2016, despite roadblocks by Chicago City Council, hotel lobby
The Chicago market has grown to the third largest in the country, accounting for almost all of the more than $73 million in supplemental income in 2016.
AFSCME leaders ignore economic reality, Illinoisans’ hardships
AFSCME leaders ignore economic reality, Illinoisans’ hardships
Peoria-based manufacturing giant Caterpillar announced Dec. 14 it will lay off even more employees – another blow to CAT employees in the state and around the globe. Yet while too many Illinoisans struggle under the state’s faltering economy, AFSCME continues to demand more pay and more benefits for state workers.