Misleading new ad claims Amendment 1 protects Illinois nurses

By Mailee Smith

08/10/2022

Despite proponents’ claims, Amendment 1 would give union rights only to state and local government workers. Yet a new ad by proponents implies it will help nurses in all sectors care for their patients.

TAGS: Amendment 1, constitutional amendment, property taxes, taxes, unions, workers rights

10 Illinois pension abuses show why taxpayers deserve reform

By Justin Carlson

08/04/2022

Illinois’ broken pension system has allowed loopholes and schemes that cheat other pensioners and drive up taxpayers’ burdens. Here are 10 examples.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, Mike Madigan, pension reform, pensions

Taxpayers funded 84% of public employee pensions in 2020

By Patrick Andriesen

07/02/2022

Taxpayer contributions accounted for 56% of the money that flowed into Illinois’ pension funds in 2000. Two decades later, residents funded 84% of public employees’ retirements, yet pension debt is still growing.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, municipal pensions, pension reform, pensions, Springfield

Poll: bipartisan supermajorities of Illinois voters support constitutional pension reform

By Patrick Andriesen

06/09/2022

Polling showed 61% of Illinois voters would approve an amendment to the state constitution changing future pension benefits while guaranteeing those already earned by public employees. Taxes remain Illinoisans’ top concern.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, Illinois Constitution, pension reform, pensions

Illinois voters got just 1 proposed constitutional amendment on ballot in 52 years

By Joe Tabor

05/19/2022

During the past decade, state lawmakers have asked to change the Illinois Constitution six times while voters have failed to get any changes on the ballot. In 52 years, Illinoisans have only gotten one amendment question before voters. That needs to change.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Constitution

Illinois lawmakers got $15.1M before seeking constitutional power for union bosses

By Orphe Divounguy

06/18/2021

Illinois state lawmakers want voters to hand over Illinois’ economy to unions. Before voting for the measure, they received $15.1 million in campaign cash from those unions.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, right to work, unions

Illinois lawmakers seek to be nation’s first to put job-killing amendment in state constitution

By Mailee Smith

05/24/2021

A proposal in the Illinois General Assembly would prohibit right-to-work laws in Illinois, making Illinois the only state to ban worker freedoms in its constitution.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, Illinois, private sector, right to work, unions

Official Illinois progressive tax explainer ranges from misleading to wrong

09/18/2020

Progressive income tax proponents put factually inaccurate and misleading claims into a constitutionally required pamphlet intended to inform voters about a proposed amendment.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, fair tax, JB Pritzker, progressive tax

Poll shows diverse support for Illinois pension reform

03/11/2020

Illinois Democrats, union members, government or nonprofit workers, and people of all income groups support a pension amendment that allows for changes in cost-of-living raises and other future benefits.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, Illinois Constitution, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, pensions

New Mexico passes bipartisan pension reform

03/10/2020

As Illinois elected leaders continue to delay action on pension reform, a broad and bipartisan coalition has succeeded in pushing for reforms to public employee benefits in New Mexico.

TAGS: COLA: cost of living adjustment, constitutional amendment, government unions, Illinois Supreme Court, JB Pritzker, New Mexico, pensions