Pritzker’s proposed budget shorts pensions by $5.4 billion
Pritzker’s proposed budget shorts pensions by $5.4 billion
Actuaries say Illinois needs to put in $17 billion a year to fix the plans, but the 2027 plan calls for far less.
Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry
Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry
Occupational licensing requirements present one of the steepest barriers to low-income Illinoisans starting careers in beauty services. Illinois requires anyone seeking to become a barber, cosmetologist, nail technician or hair braider to obtain a state license, essentially a permission slip to work. Unlike 45 other states, Illinois offers only one pathway to licensure for each...
Illinois budget proposes $200,000 to redefine ‘low income’
Illinois budget proposes $200,000 to redefine ‘low income’
The proposed state budget would pay to develop a new definition in the face of federal changes to the SNAP program.
Sign up for our morning email
to stay ahead of the challenges impacting taxes, liberty and prosperity in Illinois.
Tax hike threat looms as Illinois budget deadline nears
Tax hike threat looms as Illinois budget deadline nears
They are signaling a willingness to raise taxes as the May 31 deadline quickly approaches.
New data: Illinois homeowners pay country’s highest property taxes
New data: Illinois homeowners pay country’s highest property taxes
The state again had the highest residential property tax rate in the U.S. in 2024, tied with New Jersey.
Lawmakers pass bill creating apprenticeships for beauty professions
Lawmakers pass bill creating apprenticeships for beauty professions
Under the measure, aspiring barbers, cosmetologists and others would have a path to a license that doesn’t require expensive schooling.
More schools double-dipping taxpayers for teacher pension costs
More schools double-dipping taxpayers for teacher pension costs
Many school districts cover teachers’ required pension contribution of 9% of their salary — putting that burden on taxpayers.
Delayed property tax bills cost Chicago Public Schools $34 million
Delayed property tax bills cost Chicago Public Schools $34 million
Chicago Public Schools borrowed over $1.8 billion amid a delay in last year’s Cook County bills, adding interest costs and exposing the fragility of the district’s finances.
Vallas: Chicago should sue to overturn the parking meter deal
Vallas: Chicago should sue to overturn the parking meter deal
The city should aim to scrap or restructure the 2008 contract by arguing that it’s “manifestly against public policy.”
The purpose of teachers unions
The purpose of teachers unions
Educators defeat Chicago Teachers Union’s proposed dues hike
Educators defeat Chicago Teachers Union’s proposed dues hike
The union wanted to raise dues as much as $800 a year to pay for its leaders’ political activities.
Bad revenue forecasts drive reckless state spending
Bad revenue forecasts drive reckless state spending
Lawmakers too often decide what to spend without an accurate picture of what will come in.