Illinois lawmakers pass Cook County expungement and sealing reforms
Illinois lawmakers pass Cook County expungement and sealing reforms
If signed, HB 6328 will remove expungement fees in Cook County for those who were arrested but never convicted.
Moody’s and S&P downgrade Illinois’ credit rating, the 16th and 17th downgrades since 2009
Moody’s and S&P downgrade Illinois’ credit rating, the 16th and 17th downgrades since 2009
Major ratings agencies have assigned a negative outlook to Illinois. To move forward, the state can’t pass just any budget – especially one that’s $7 billion out-of-whack – to get beyond its crisis. With today’s fiscal stress, a bad budget is worse than no budget. A budget without reforms will only allow Illinois’ debt to continue to spiral, putting investors – and more importantly, Illinois residents – at risk.
Why Illinois shortchanges people dependent on government services
Why Illinois shortchanges people dependent on government services
Politicians have repeatedly prioritized funding state-worker pay and benefits over social services and other vital programs.
Former Gov. Edgar’s ‘compromise’ pension plan led to Illinois’ fiscal crisis
Former Gov. Edgar’s ‘compromise’ pension plan led to Illinois’ fiscal crisis
Under former Gov. Jim Edgar’s pension ramp, unfunded pension liabilities have increased nearly $100 billion despite taxpayers contributing $16.4 billion more to the five state-run pension systems than required under the Edgar plan.
Police in Illinois can seize your property without convicting you of a crime
Police in Illinois can seize your property without convicting you of a crime
Illinois police have taken in a total of $72 million in seized property over the past two years.
Weak investment returns for Chicago pensions highlight the need to end broken pension systems
Weak investment returns for Chicago pensions highlight the need to end broken pension systems
Chicago’s four city-run pension funds’ poor returns on investment in 2015 are a good reminder why defined-benefit pensions are a failure for both taxpayers and government workers.
Illinois employers announce 1,300 layoffs in May
Illinois employers announce 1,300 layoffs in May
The most recent Illinois WARN report shows 1,300 mass layoffs in May, including 513 layoffs in the manufacturing sector, up from 450 large-scale layoffs and six manufacturing layoffs in April.
From budget gridlock to traffic gridlock: Resumption of vehicle-emissions-testing requirements causes traffic jams
From budget gridlock to traffic gridlock: Resumption of vehicle-emissions-testing requirements causes traffic jams
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is again mailing notices of vehicle-emissions-testing requirements to vehicle owners, and effective June 1, the Illinois secretary of state has resumed requiring certain drivers to pass emissions tests prior to renewing their license plates. Drivers scrambling to comply by the secretary of state’s June 1 effective date caused headline-making traffic jams throughout Chicago and its suburbs.
New ordinance will reduce building downtown, raise rents in Chicago
New ordinance will reduce building downtown, raise rents in Chicago
If Chicago wants to alleviate poverty and economic inequality, the city needs to reform its zoning laws to allow more building – not institute a new tax on development.
Why did the chicken cross the road? Because … Mike Madigan
Why did the chicken cross the road? Because … Mike Madigan
Palatine school-district contract a case study in how closed-door, government-union deals hurt taxpayers
Palatine school-district contract a case study in how closed-door, government-union deals hurt taxpayers
Palatine-area Community Consolidated School District 15 posted its 10-year contract with its teachers union more than a month after it had been signed, ensuring that potentially harmful contract provisions can only come to light after it is too late for students, parents and taxpayers to do anything about it.
May Corruption Watch
May Corruption Watch
May’s corruption headlines show the steep cost nontransparent government can have on taxpayers.
Belleville votes to dissolve township, save taxpayers $260,000 per year starting May 2017
Belleville votes to dissolve township, save taxpayers $260,000 per year starting May 2017
Belleville City Council’s decision to dissolve its township is a great move for taxpayers. Thousands of municipalities could make the same move, too, and eliminate waste.
Against Illinois’ tax breaks for Amazon? Fix the state’s broken workers’ compensation system
Against Illinois’ tax breaks for Amazon? Fix the state’s broken workers’ compensation system
There’s a reason new facilities aren’t being built in Illinois: In too many cases a business investment in Illinois doesn’t make financial sense unless Illinois taxpayers are paying for a chunk of the project. This system isn’t good for businesses, or for workers and unions that are losing jobs. Until Illinois makes the broad tax and regulatory reforms needed to compete for blue-collar jobs, businesses are going to keep expanding elsewhere or asking for tax breaks to come here.