Post-mortem: What’s in Illinois’ stopgap budget?
Post-mortem: What’s in Illinois’ stopgap budget?
The stopgap budget passed by the General Assembly provides six months worth of funding for government services such as road construction, as well as a full K-12 education budget for the 2016-2017 school year, property-tax-raising authority for Chicago, and more state funding of pensions for Chicago Public Schools teachers.
By Heather Weiner
Prohibition, prostitution and Chicago’s mini-fiefdoms
Prohibition, prostitution and Chicago’s mini-fiefdoms
A principle once invoked to shake down speakeasies is now used to pick winners and losers in a city desperate for opportunity.
By Austin Berg
It’s time to end Illinois’ fireworks ban
It’s time to end Illinois’ fireworks ban
The Land of Lincoln is one of only seven states to impose harsh restrictions on the sale and possession of fireworks.
By Austin Berg
Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget
Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget
The stopgap budget compromise reached between the General Assembly and Gov. Bruce Rauner will fund government operations for the next six months and ensure that schools open on time in the fall.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinoisans revolt against nation’s highest property taxes
Illinoisans revolt against nation’s highest property taxes
Illinoisans face the highest median property-tax rate in the nation.
By Austin Berg
5 reasons why Illinois politicians should reject a Chicago Public Schools bailout
5 reasons why Illinois politicians should reject a Chicago Public Schools bailout
Until CPS passes necessary spending and pension reforms, giving any additional money to the system will only reward officials’ mismanagement and reckless behavior.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Illinois gets $5.24 million windfall as motorists rack up fees for late vehicle registration
Illinois gets $5.24 million windfall as motorists rack up fees for late vehicle registration
Budget gridlock in Springfield caused the Illinois secretary of state’s office to suspend mailing vehicle-registration-renewal reminders in October 2015; as a result, the state took in $5.24 million more in fees for late license-plate renewal between January and June 21, 2016, than it did during the same period in 2015.
By Amy Korte
New Hampshire legislature passes civil asset forfeiture reform
New Hampshire legislature passes civil asset forfeiture reform
The New Hampshire legislature has passed an overhaul of asset forfeiture laws to protect rights of innocent property owners; Illinois should do the same.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Illinois taxpayers pay $15,000 per AFSCME worker in annual health care costs
Illinois taxpayers pay $15,000 per AFSCME worker in annual health care costs
AFSCME balks at Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposal that state workers chip in more for their Cadillac health insurance.
By Mailee Smith