Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Diagnosis: Disaster – The $44 billion price tag of state retiree health insurance

Diagnosis: Disaster – The $44 billion price tag of state retiree health insurance

The problem Illinoisans are beginning to see the dangers of another unfunded liability: free or subsidized health care for retired state workers. The state has promised, in today’s dollars, nearly $44 billion in retiree health benefits to government employees over the next thirty years. Unfortunately, it has not set aside any funds for those future...

By Jonathan Ingram

The truth about ObamaCare exchanges

The truth about ObamaCare exchanges

While a number of people are urging the state to immediately create an ObamaCare exchange, the reasons are based on myths, not facts. In this report, we respond to those myths.

CPS board votes to put students and taxpayers first

CPS board votes to put students and taxpayers first

by Michael Wille Following a contentious 7 hour hearing on Wednesday, the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to turn around 10 failing schools and close or phase out 7 others. These schools had been seriously under performing over the last 5 years even with increased financial support from the city and the state. Nevertheless,...

By Chris Andriesen

Due process denied: Illinois’ new scheme to take your tax refund

Due process denied: Illinois’ new scheme to take your tax refund

by Peter White, Liberty Justice Center Residents of Illinois are dying a death by a thousand cuts. Municipalities are finding ever more creative ways to raise revenue: fees, fines and taxes. The trouble for some localities such as the City of Chicago is collection. Now, however, they’ve found something new: the City is going to...

By Chris Andriesen

Commentary on Gov. Quinn’s budget address

Commentary on Gov. Quinn’s budget address

This week, Gov. Quinn submitted his budget proposals for fiscal year 2013, which starts July 1, 2012. The governor said that the state’s “rendezvous with reality has arrived.” But while the governor recognized the state’s problems, he offered few concrete reforms on how to solve these problems. Below is the Institute’s commentary on Gov. Quinn’s...

By Chris Andriesen

Illinoisans agree: The tax hike was a failure

Illinoisans agree: The tax hike was a failure

by Taylor Smith It’s no secret that Illinois’ record income tax hike has failed to revive Illinois’ fiscal health. But it also has dramatically exacerbated the state’s economic outlook on many levels. Since the tax hike, Illinois’ unemployment numbers have worsened. In 2011, Illinois’ unemployment rate increased most in the nation – by far – with 46...

By Chris Andriesen

Life isn’t fair: The teachers’ union boss’ teachable moment

Life isn’t fair: The teachers’ union boss’ teachable moment

by Dan Proft I stand corrected. The teachers’ unions do have the ability to educate. New Jersey Education Association Executive Director Vincent Giordano recently provided, however inadvertently, the greatest teachable moment in public education since American Federation of Teachers President Al Shanker said, “When school children start paying union dues, that’s when I’ll start representing the...

By Chris Andriesen

Hubris defined: Chicago teachers union wants 30% salary raises

Hubris defined: Chicago teachers union wants 30% salary raises

by Michael Wille In their opening round of teacher contract negotiations, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has demanded reduced class sizes, higher taxes on the city’s richest residents and a whopping 30 percent salary increase with little accountability in return. Think about what they are calling for. At a time when 10.2 percent of Chicagoans are out...

By Chris Andriesen

2011 Illinois General Assembly Legislative Vote Card: Full Year-End Report

2011 Illinois General Assembly Legislative Vote Card: Full Year-End Report

Introduction Illinois’ prosperity hinges on better public policy, and 2011 was a crucial year for the state as it faces massive challenges. The state raised taxes on every family and business in Illinois, and then doled out tax breaks to a special few. Any serious reform of state spending was left to future years, meaning...

By Chris Andriesen

2011 Illinois General Assembly Legislative Vote Card: Full Year-End Report

2011 Illinois General Assembly Legislative Vote Card: Full Year-End Report

In the 2011 Legislative Vote Card, the Illinois Policy Institute shines a light on the floor votes in Springfield that mattered most during the calendar year, including key votes from the early January session of the outgoing 96th General Assembly.

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