Chicago police unions are fighting to destroy decades of complaint records
Chicago police unions are fighting to destroy decades of complaint records
Tens of thousands of Chicago police misconduct files could be purged due to lawsuits filed by police unions.
By Austin Berg
What’s wrong with Illinois’ economy?
What’s wrong with Illinois’ economy?
Madigan’s economic record is one of failure, and the best he can say in his defense is that trying a new path would somehow make things worse.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois considers privacy law while the state violates privacy of thousands
Illinois considers privacy law while the state violates privacy of thousands
While the state moves to impose costly new requirements on private businesses in the name of privacy, the state is itself violating the privacy of thousands of Illinoisans.
Illinois jails incarcerate many people who don’t need to be there in the first place
Illinois jails incarcerate many people who don’t need to be there in the first place
Illinois jails book over 2.6 times the number of people they did in 1981, costing taxpayers money and keeping many people who have not yet been convicted of crimes behind bars.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
State Rep. Cassidy reintroduces marijuana decriminalization bill
State Rep. Cassidy reintroduces marijuana decriminalization bill
Twenty states and the District of Columbia have removed the threat of jail time for simple marijuana possession.
By Mark Fitton
Illinois employers warn of 2,600 layoffs in coming months
Illinois employers warn of 2,600 layoffs in coming months
A state report shows plans for more layoffs amid an already difficult jobs climate in Illinois, especially for blue-collar workers.
By Austin Berg
Madigan wants to raise income taxes again
Madigan wants to raise income taxes again
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan says Illinois’ income taxes should be increased to at least 5 percent.
By Hilary Gowins
3 drivers causing police and firefighter pension costs to skyrocket in Elgin
3 drivers causing police and firefighter pension costs to skyrocket in Elgin
Diverting taxpayer dollars from pensions to salaries, underfunding pensions, and providing unsustainably high pension benefits have caused Elgin, Illinois’ combined police and firefighter pension shortfalls to double in just nine years to $180 million.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
5 reasons Illinois government-worker pensions are unfair to taxpayers
5 reasons Illinois government-worker pensions are unfair to taxpayers
The outsized benefits received by retired government workers under the State Universities Retirement System and the unfair burden this places on taxpayers demonstrate the urgent need to reform Illinois’ government-worker pensions.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Illinois Lottery will pay winners starting Dec. 14
Illinois Lottery will pay winners starting Dec. 14
Funds provided through Senate Bill 2039, which Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law Dec. 7, will allow the Illinois Lottery to resume paying winning ticket holders.
By Hilary Gowins
The Chicago squeeze: Property taxes, fees and over 30 individual taxes crush city residents
The Chicago squeeze: Property taxes, fees and over 30 individual taxes crush city residents
Chicagoans are the most-taxed residents of any major city in Illinois and pay the 10th-highest property taxes compared to taxpayers in other large U.S. cities.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner