Opinions
Let’s not let this crisis go to waste
If anything good can be said about the COVID crisis, it may be that it has forced many of us to consider alternatives to the way we were living our lives, most especially with regard to how we do our jobs and how we educate our children.
Illinois lawmakers hand Pritzker another tax loss, pass Chicago pension hike
Lame duck session was busy even when House Democrats weren’t focused on replacing Mike Madigan as speaker. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s small business tax hike died as 23 bills were passed, including one making Chicago’s pension woes worse.
Illinois taxpayers again threatened with huge tax increase
Illinois taxpayers should brace themselves one more time as Springfield Democrats plot to raise the state income tax.
ITLA president: ATRA's 'Hellhole' report cruelly seizes on deadly pandemic as opportunity to shield funders from accountability for wrongdoing
Even as the number of Illinoisans sickened by the coronavirus rises, and the state’s hospitals and ICUs fill with COVID-19 patients, a corporate front group is trying to capitalize on the crisis by disseminating misinformation intended to help its benefactors evade legal accountability for harm done to innocent people.
Should pharmacies be held liable for the opioid epidemic?
Faced with conflicting legal obligations, Walmart files suit against D.O.J.
Man who recorded Madigan, led Burke charges, pleads guilty
A Chinatown developer made the recording in 2014, which is still a piece to a lengthy federal investigation.
Madigan spent millions to elect, retain Illinois Supreme Court Justice Kilbride
Committees controlled by the speaker of the Illinois House funded more than half of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride’s campaign contributions in 2010. Kilbride is up for retention again this year.
Sen. Terry Link latest 'Fair Tax' supporter to resign amid corruption charge
Five key supporters of the progressive tax in the Illinois General Assembly are facing corruption probes. Four have been charged. Three have resigned.
Illinois’ extreme outlier status on debts, taxes and out-migration highlights the need for pension reform, new study finds
Wirepoints’ 50-state survey shows pension costs contribute to making Illinois the nation’s extreme outlier.
Seven facts that tell us Illinoisans can and must get back to work
On March 20, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order requiring residents to stay at home in response to COVID-19.
What next for Illinois?
What’s happening today is unprecedented. The coronavirus is impacting Illinoisans' lives in more ways than can be counted. We wish our readers the best and hope you all remain healthy.
Governor Pritzker must do more for taxpayers now!
Governor Pritzker is killing the Illinois economy. On March 25, Pritzker announced he was considering extending the statewide lockdown, and the continued closure of all businesses he deemed non-essential.
With voters set to decide on progressive income tax, Illinois wealth flight among worst in the nation
New data shows Illinois since 2010 lost up to $32 billion in income from people moving out. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated income tax plan would hike rates on those most likely to leave.
Pritzker contract gives AFSCME unfettered access to workers' private information
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker agreed to a deal with AFSCME Council 31 that threatens the privacy of state workers and violates workers’ rights.
Pritzker promises over $10 billion in new spending on $3.4 billion progressive tax hike
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” plan falls far short of the revenue needed to pay for his spending promises – feeding fears of future tax hikes on middle-class families.
Illinois home values down 21%, property taxes up 9% since 2007
Without serious property tax relief – including pension reform – it is likely fewer will demand planting roots in Illinois.
Doubling Illinois' gas tax, other tax hikes will go to fund more than $1.4 billion of waste and pork
Lawmakers sold 21 new taxes and fees as necessary to rebuild crumbling roads and bridges and balance the budget. Instead, taxpayers will be funding dog parks, swimming pools, snowmobile paths, a vacant theater and pickleball courts.
Pain at the pump
Illinoisans' pain at the pump will be more acute than ever now that the state's motor fuel tax has doubled to 38 cents per gallon from 19 cents.
Lawsuit abuse still a problem in Illinois
The problems plaguing courtrooms throughout Illinois are well-documented. Our courts have seen ridiculous cases over having too many peanuts in a bag of mixed nuts or allegations of being “injured” by paying higher prices for products than their self-claimed worth.
Harvey: Canary in the collapsing Illinois coal mine
Your job, your pension, or your home. This is the choice left to several families in Harvey, Illinois. They can’t have all three and some don’t even have the choice of one.