Jim Andersen
Jim Andersen
AFSCME's demands would cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $3 billion over the course of the contract.
Illinois to issue $500M in bonds, continues to pay highest borrowing rate of all 50 states
Illinois to issue $500M in bonds, continues to pay highest borrowing rate of all 50 states
Illinois’ monthslong budget gridlock, $111 billion in government-worker pension debt, and more than a decade of unbalanced budgets have resulted in credit downgrades for Illinois and the highest borrowing costs of any state in the nation.
AFSCME: Rauner has declared impasse in contract negotiations
AFSCME: Rauner has declared impasse in contract negotiations
Without a strike fund, AFSCME – which represents 60,000 state workers in Illinois – has avoided a strike. But since the union announced that the governor has walked way from contract talks, a strike could be on the horizon.
DAILY LINKS / 12.23.2022
State Journal-Register: Illinois population slide is nation's third-largest behind New York and California Crain's Chicago Business: Illinois' population loss continues, according to U.S. Census Bureau The Center Square: Illinois’ annual population loss is accelerating Daily Herald: Ex-District 214 business chief paid $183,000 as part of mysterious departure The Center Square: Illinois winemakers look for tax relief in lame duck sessionNew year, outta here: Another Illinois manufacturer seeks refuge in Indiana
New year, outta here: Another Illinois manufacturer seeks refuge in Indiana
Enjoy Life Foods plans to move its lone Illinois manufacturing facility and up to 150 jobs to southern Indiana this year.
State worker pension fountain
State worker pension fountain
Chicagoans the most-taxed residents in Illinois, paying more than 30 city taxes
Chicagoans the most-taxed residents in Illinois, paying more than 30 city taxes
Not only are city officials making Chicagoans pay more for services that aren't working, they are making them shoulder the highest tax burden in the state.
Barriers to work and employment perpetuate dangerous cycle for ex-offenders and their families
Barriers to work and employment perpetuate dangerous cycle for ex-offenders and their families
Nearly 70,000 Illinois children have incarcerated parents who will need to be able to support their families after serving their sentences.
Fewer Illinoisans renewing vehicle registration in absence of mailed reminder notices
Fewer Illinoisans renewing vehicle registration in absence of mailed reminder notices
Budget gridlock in Springfield caused the Illinois secretary of state’s office to suspend mailing vehicle-registration renewal reminders.
Illinois taxpayers’ refunds delayed until after March 1
Illinois taxpayers’ refunds delayed until after March 1
Due to new identity-theft- and fraud-prevention measures, some Illinois taxpayers will not receive tax refunds until after March 1.
Despite massive stock-market rally, Illinois’ pension liabilities go up and up and up
Despite massive stock-market rally, Illinois’ pension liabilities go up and up and up
The fiscal crises caused by the state’s government-worker pension liabilities.
Landmark state report lights path toward lowering Illinois property taxes
Landmark state report lights path toward lowering Illinois property taxes
Absurdly high property taxes demand bold reforms from Illinois lawmakers. New recommendations from a state task force show exactly what kind.
Illinoisans pay 2.5 times for their politicians
Illinoisans pay 2.5 times for their politicians
Taxpayers pay once for state politicians’ salaries and another 1.5 times for their bankrupt pension system. In 2017, taxpayers will contribute the equivalent of nearly $123,000 for each lawmaker just to keep the General Assembly Retirement System afloat.
Chicago PMI crashes, new orders and backlogs plunge to May 2009 level
Chicago PMI crashes, new orders and backlogs plunge to May 2009 level
The December Chicago purchasing managers’ index revealed weaknesses in the regional economy, including in the service sector.