Illinois House votes to put Pritzker’s progressive income tax amendment on 2020 ballot

By Vincent Caruso

05/27/2019

An amendment that would allow lawmakers to scrap Illinois’ constitutionally protected flat income tax and replace it with graduated tax rates will appear as a referendum question on voters’ 2020 ballots.

TAGS: fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, Robert Martwick

Illinois passes state law giving pension boost to one Chicago alderman

By Vincent Caruso

11/28/2018

State lawmakers overrode Gov. Rauner’s veto of a bill that allows one former firefighter serving as a Chicago alderman to credit his political salary toward a more lucrative fire pension. The pension boost will also apply to future aldermen with a history of fire department work.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, municipal pensions, Nicholas Sposato, pension guarantee, pensions, Robert Martwick

House passes pension boost bill for one Chicago alderman

By Vincent Caruso

11/27/2018

Illinois House members voted to override Gov. Rauner’s veto of a bill that would allow a former firefighter serving as a Chicago aldermen to credit his political salary toward a more lucrative fire pension. While just one alderman now qualifies, the bill could extend the perk to more in the future.

TAGS: 401(k), Anthony Napolitano, Bruce Rauner, municipal pensions, Nicholas Sposato, pension guarantee, pensions, Rahm Emanuel, Robert Martwick

House bill would boost pension payments for Chicago aldermen

By Vincent Caruso

11/10/2018

Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a bill to allow former firefighters serving as Chicago aldermen to credit their political salary toward a more lucrative firefighter pension. It could come back during veto session.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Chicago, Chicago City Council, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, Robert Martwick

States with a progressive income tax more vulnerable to fiscal shocks

By Vincent Caruso

09/25/2018

Despite finding favor among some politicians and political candidates in Illinois, states with a progressive income tax are more vulnerable during recessions than flat-tax states.

TAGS: income tax, Moody's Investor Service, progressive income tax, Robert Martwick, Standard & Poor's, taxes

53,000 Cook County homeowners to receive $19.5M in property tax refunds

By Chris Lentino

08/03/2018

Millions in property tax refunds will go out to Cook County homeowners as early as Aug. 15.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, property taxes, Robert Martwick

House passes Madigan’s progressive tax resolution

By Vincent Caruso

05/30/2018

A majority of House lawmakers sided with the speaker over tapped-out taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, income tax, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, Robert Martwick, taxes

In a shrinking state, Census sheds light on struggling cities

By Austin Berg

05/24/2018

When people can’t find good job opportunities in Illinois, they are too often forced to leave. And to take their place, too few have enough confidence in the state to move in from elsewhere and build a future.

TAGS: Belleville, Decatur, jobs, outmigration, progressive income tax, property taxes, Robert Martwick, Rockford, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau, unemployment

Costello stands with taxpayers, signs resolution opposing progressive income tax

By Austin Berg

04/27/2018

State Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Smithton, has joined the fight against a progressive tax hike in Illinois.

TAGS: David McSweeney, graduated income tax, income tax, Jerry Costello, progressive income tax, Robert Martwick

The ‘friendly’ tax hike taking shape in Springfield

By Austin Berg

04/05/2018

Protecting taxpayers by ensuring they’re getting a state government they can afford? That’s friendly.

TAGS: income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, Robert Martwick

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

Illinois finds itself at a crossroads: will it empower minorities and poor people to unleash their potential, or will it perpetuate an inequitable status quo? For far too many Illinoisans, opportunity is unfairly and unnecessarily out of reach. Illinois ranks in the bottom ten among all states in social mobility and last among Midwest states...

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Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

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Brandi Lentz

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students