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.
By Mailee Smith
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.
By Austin Berg
Madigan’s middle-class myth
Madigan’s middle-class myth
Less than half of Illinois households are defined as middle class.
By Austin Berg
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.
By Amy Korte
Illinois’ stopgap budget spends $8B more than the state takes in
Illinois’ stopgap budget spends $8B more than the state takes in
Under the stopgap budget, Illinois will spend $8 billion more than it collects in tax revenues; Illinois needs to enact major reforms to rein in its out-of-control spending and avoid billions in tax hikes.
By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner
Illinois tax code favors corporate farms over family farms
Illinois tax code favors corporate farms over family farms
While neighboring states are making themselves friendlier for farmers, Illinois keeps its unfair death tax in place.
By Michael Lucci
Rauner vetoes SEIU-backed bills that would have cost over $100M annually
Rauner vetoes SEIU-backed bills that would have cost over $100M annually
Two bills attempting to provide taxpayer-funded training programs for SEIU would have been costly for the state.
By Heather Weiner
What would happen to union members, nonmember workers and the state if AFSCME strikes
What would happen to union members, nonmember workers and the state if AFSCME strikes
A potential strike from the state’s largest government-worker union would be the first of its kind, and could cost its members the most.
By Mailee Smith
Mapping a way to term limits
Mapping a way to term limits
More than 60 percent of Illinois’ state legislative races in 2016 will be uncontested.
By Austin Berg
Economic freedom enables success after prison
Economic freedom enables success after prison
Eliminating barriers to opportunity would benefit both ex-offenders and the state of Illinois.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
HB 5104 would hinder state in subcontracting for medical care for IDOC inmates
HB 5104 would hinder state in subcontracting for medical care for IDOC inmates
A bill that has been sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner would hamstring the state in subcontracting for medical services for inmates of the Illinois Department of Corrections, compromising the state’s ability to provide the best, most cost-effective care.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signs marijuana decriminalization bill
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signs marijuana decriminalization bill
Effective immediately, possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana in Illinois is punishable by a fine, instead of a misdemeanor with possible jail time.
By Bryant Jackson-Green