Illinois had a prime opportunity with increased revenues and COVID relief funds to balance the budget. Instead, the government spent it all and now faces an even larger shortfall.
Some Illinois voters April 1 will tell state lawmakers what to do about some of the state’s most pressing problems. One of the issues is the process of deciding legislative and congressional districts. Here’s what to know about gerrymandering.
Members of the Illinois Senate Pensions Committee heard from pension administrators and government unions about the need for more benefits from retirement systems that are already broken. The Illinois Policy Institute was there, too, to represent taxpayers’ interests.
Illinois ability to keep its residents is third from the bottom. Only California and New York have more people moving to other states.
Of the states most Americans are moving to, 4 of 5 have a flat or no income tax. The states losing the most residents? There again, 4 of 5 have progressive taxes. Illinois’ flat tax is an advantage it should keep.
“Currently the state requires 1,500 hours of training to get your barber license. You also have to pass a test, but many schools won’t even approve for you to take the test until you’ve finished paying off tuition. I personally know three people who have finished their schooling but they can’t take their licensing test...
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s record $55.2 billion budget for 2026 relies on more than $1.55 billion in newly increased revenue estimates to cover cost. That optimism collides with state agencies’ and experts’ sober predictions, meaning taxpayers are again at risk?
Illinois ranks 44th in the country on entrepreneurship and economic growth, which stops people from getting ahead.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson secured approval for his $830 million borrowing plan but can no longer use the money to benefit his cronies at the Chicago Teachers Union. The city just grew its nearly $41 billion in debt.
A new report from the Tax Foundation shows the typical Illinois taxpayer will save big thanks to the constitutional protections of Illinois’ flat tax. Some state lawmakers want to take that protection away.
House Bill 3014 and Senate Bill 1546 would tie Illinois’ spending growth to GDP growth, potentially saving billions of dollars as the state needs to live within its means.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s 2026 budget includes record spending, cuts to economic development and overreliance on short-term revenue tricks—including a cleverly hidden tax hike, leaving significant work for the state to reach financial stability.
A new bill would repeal an outdated Illinois business tax. The franchise tax is tough to calculate, most businesses don’t owe it and it generates little revenue in a state that already hits businesses hard with other taxes.