Illinois’ comeback story starts here.
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By Rachel Wells BLOOMINGTON — The city will look to change its rules for licensing party buses and other vehicles for hire rather than appeal a judge’s ruling last week that its current rules are unconstitutional. The city also will grant Julie Crowe the right to operate her late-night shuttle business if she provides proof...
The Illinois Policy Institute has released a new book that examines the most problematic force in Illinois politics: government employee unions. The book is entitled, “The Labor Book: A guide to Illinois government unions.” It highlights a key finding that has become strikingly clear as Illinois struggles to reform its massive pension problem: Until the...
Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman debated Governor Pat Quinn on Fox Chicago’s ‘Good Day Chicago’ program.
With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Pat Quinn eliminated dozens of state boards and commissions he calls “unnecessary.” It’s his effort to streamline state government. Quinn recently issued the executive order to get rid of boards that are inactive and consolidate commissions that overlap. They range from the Governor’s Agriculture Advisory Council to the...
Ninety out of the 102 county-level governments in Illinois failed an online transparency audit, and at least 12 counties appear to be violating the Open Meetings Act, according to a special report released today by the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute. The report, titled “Obstructed views: Illinois’ 102 county online transparency audit,” is the first in...
The General Assembly is scheduled to return to Springfield Wednesday to try to resolve the state’s pension crisis. But, it’s still unclear whether lawmakers will reach a solution. Everyone can agree on one thing: the state’s $97 billion unfunded pension liability is a problem that needs to be addressed. But, that’s where the consensus ends....
June 18, 2013 (CHICAGO) (WLS) — Wednesday’s special session in Springfield is expected to begin and end without a deal to reform Illinois’ pension system. Instead, top lawmakers now say they will form a special committee to look for a compromise to get the state out from under nearly $100 billion in pension debt. The...
by Charles Thomas A spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn says he has fully backed the tough pension proposal supported by the Illinois House and has ”fought hard” to get it passed. Spokeswoman Brooke Anderson says Quinn cannot act alone and needs House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton to work together. Her comments...