Chicago utility-tax hike shows need for taxpayer bill of rights
Chicago utility-tax hike shows need for taxpayer bill of rights
Under a taxpayer bill of rights, Chicago City Council would have to seek voter approval before raising taxes.
Chicagoans on the hook for $34B in debt from city’s 4 pension funds
Chicagoans on the hook for $34B in debt from city’s 4 pension funds
Chicago’s pension funds’ debt grew by two-thirds to $34 billion in 2015. That’s $33,000 of pension debt per Chicago household.
Illinois state rep calls delayed lawmaker pay ‘extortion and corruption’
Illinois state rep calls delayed lawmaker pay ‘extortion and corruption’
State Rep. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago, criticized payment delays for Illinois politicians, despite the fact that his compensation cost taxpayers nearly $100,000 in 2015.
Illinois employers announce 956 layoffs in July
Illinois employers announce 956 layoffs in July
Illinois’ July WARN report marks a 59% increase in layoffs from June’s numbers, as well as an uptick in manufacturing job losses.
Majority of Illinoisans support criminal-justice reform
Majority of Illinoisans support criminal-justice reform
Majority of Illinoisans think the state’s criminal-justice system is unfair
Majority of Illinoisans think the state’s criminal-justice system is unfair
A new Illinois Policy Institute report discusses a recent poll showing broad concern about the fairness and effectiveness of Illinois’ criminal-justice system and strong support for reforms to improve it.
Madigan continues to mislead about what’s hurting middle-class wage growth in Illinois
Madigan continues to mislead about what’s hurting middle-class wage growth in Illinois
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan criticizes Gov. Bruce Rauner’s economic reform ideas and offers only growth-killing tax hikes for Illinoisans in need of better jobs and income.
Illinois has worst personal income recovery in Midwest, 2nd-worst in U.S.
Illinois has worst personal income recovery in Midwest, 2nd-worst in U.S.
A new study by The Pew Charitable Trusts shows Illinois trails all states but Nevada in personal income growth since the Great Recession, with a growth rate half that of Illinois’ neighbors.
Garbage Politicians: Wreck-It Rahm
Garbage Politicians: Wreck-It Rahm
Amid strike rumors, state’s website shows Illinois AFSCME workers how to opt out of union
Amid strike rumors, state’s website shows Illinois AFSCME workers how to opt out of union
Fair share payers cannot be penalized by a union for working during a strike. And the state has just made it easier for Illinois AFSCME members to become fair share payers.
Number of Chicago city workers making $100K+ has doubled since 2013
Number of Chicago city workers making $100K+ has doubled since 2013
Nearly 5,000 Chicago city workers make six-figure salaries, driving up the payroll and pension costs overtaxed city residents must pay.
Madigan’s middle-class myth
Madigan’s middle-class myth
Less than half of Illinois households are defined as middle class.
July corruption watch
July corruption watch
Chicago leads the way in numerous corruption headlines yet again.
Illinois will resume mailing license-plate-renewal reminders
Illinois will resume mailing license-plate-renewal reminders
Due to funds provided through the stopgap budget, the Illinois secretary of state’s office will resume mailing vehicle-registration-renewal reminders in August.