15 former Chicago aldermen collecting 6-figure pensions
15 former Chicago aldermen collecting 6-figure pensions
In the midst of Chicago’s $36 billion pension crisis, former city officials are seeing big payouts.
Illinois jobs growth spikes in June, double the growth of the rest of the U.S.
Illinois jobs growth spikes in June, double the growth of the rest of the U.S.
Illinois added 18,100 new jobs in June, the highest monthly increase since summer 2017, but the Prairie State still lags behind the rest of the nation for the post-recession period.
Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system
Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system
Illinois should take steps toward more accurate and frequent property assessments to ensure the tax burden is distributed as fairly as possible.
Chicago, Cook County employees will see more money in their paychecks
Chicago, Cook County employees will see more money in their paychecks
At least 730 Cook County and 646 Chicago employees have been freed from paying forced union fees following the Janus v. AFSCME decision.
Janus decision means some Illinois state workers effectively see 2017 tax hike reversed
Janus decision means some Illinois state workers effectively see 2017 tax hike reversed
The 2017 permanent income tax hike took $732 from the median Illinois household, roughly the same as the $737 that will be returned to state workers who were previously forced to pay “fair share” fees to government unions.
Outgoing Lake Forest official poised to collect large pension following Amtrak lobbying scandal
Outgoing Lake Forest official poised to collect large pension following Amtrak lobbying scandal
Months after an investigation found Lake Forest’s city manager to have squandered $200,000 on unauthorized lobbying payments, the north suburban official announced plans to retire next year.
Amid cuts to school band program, Norridge-area taxpayers fund 59 district employees making over $100K
Amid cuts to school band program, Norridge-area taxpayers fund 59 district employees making over $100K
Duplicative school districts and an excess of publicly funded six-figure salaries have educated Norridge-Harwood Heights taxpayers on the benefits of consolidation.
Push to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban gains momentum
Push to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban gains momentum
A petition to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban has garnered more than 7,000 signatures, as lawmakers in the General Assembly throw their support behind a bill that would do just that.
Just 20% of AFSCME Council 31 spending goes toward representing workers
Just 20% of AFSCME Council 31 spending goes toward representing workers
The union’s own reporting shows only 20 percent of its overall spending is on “representational activities,” which should cause members to question what they are paying for.
Algonquin Township denies taxpayers the choice to consolidate road district
Algonquin Township denies taxpayers the choice to consolidate road district
A new law gives townships the option to let voters abolish their road districts through referendum. But Algonquin Township trustees rejected a resolution that would have given taxpayers that choice.
Illinois state workers who opted out of union membership see pay increases
Illinois state workers who opted out of union membership see pay increases
State workers previously paying “fair share” fees no longer have money deducted from their paychecks on behalf of a union.
Alton voters will choose whether to eliminate township in November
Alton voters will choose whether to eliminate township in November
Alton residents are paying for two overlapping units of government – the city of Alton and Alton Township. But voters will soon have the chance to slash costs by dissolving the city’s redundant township.
If Frank Mautino didn’t break the rules, the rules are broken
If Frank Mautino didn’t break the rules, the rules are broken
Mautino might not be corrupt. But his conduct mirrored that of a person engaging in corrupt behavior.