Peoria’s financial problems grew critical from the coronavirus, but the long-term threat of pension debt will remain even after more severe cuts are made.
“It’s a spider web of things. They don’t realize how much this all affects everything. They don’t realize every July 1st the gas tax goes up. Eventually it’s going to affect my business."
While Illinois law explicitly states union contracts trump all other state laws, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled a police contract allowing the destruction of disciplinarily records defies public policy and cannot be enforced.
Illinois' credit rating is just one notch above junk, the lowest of any U.S. state.
Illinois public servants expect special privileges. And Gov. J.B. Pritzker is happy to oblige.
While May’s jobs report showed what could be the beginning of a bounce back in total employment for the state, growth was concentrated primarily among white workers. Black and Hispanic workers were left behind.
“There are not many stores open in downtown Springfield. With the few that are open, we’re thinking if this continues, will we survive it?"
The contractor who revamped Illinois’ unemployment system to handle self-employed workers is being sued. One of the nearly 32,500 applicants who had private information exposed said it was used to access her bank account.
Illinois’ fiscal year 2021 budget is larger than 2020’s, yet spending on education lost ground without an adjustment for inflation.
Up to 130,000 Illinois homeowners could fall behind on their mortgage payments if state lawmakers fail to provide relief.
State lawmakers last summer doubled Illinois’ gas tax to help pay for capital projects. Each year the gas tax automatically rises, shielding lawmakers from responsibility for hikes.
“Everybody is essential as far as I’m concerned. If one section of our community fails, the whole community fails."