Written by John Biver
Illinoisans have a lot to be proud of — we live in a beautiful state in the heart of America. Our people are hardworking, our soil is among the most productive in the world, our transportation systems are first rate, we have a world-class city and hundreds of great small towns. The list could go on and on.
But to our shame is our state government. Illinois is at or near the top on a lot of bad lists: corruption, tax burden, unfunded liabilities, and debt.… Continue Reading
Written by John Biver
It isn’t big news that Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) prevents bills he prefers not to have a hearing or to bfted on do not receive a hearing or get a vote. That has been the case for decades. An increasing number of over-burdened taxpayers are learning that what Madigan wants, he gets.
Why he wants Illinois in such bad shape is anyone’s guess.
During a special summer session of the Illinois General Assembly, Rep.… Continue Reading
Tags: Greg Bishop, HR 139, Illinois Economy, Illinois News Network, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Taxes, Jeanne Ives, Michael Madigan, Property Tax, Tax Relief
Illinois Politics | David E. Smith | 
September 7, 2017 4:00 AM | 
Comments Off on Speaker Madigan Blocks State Rep. Jeanne Ives Call for Property Tax Task Force
Written by John Biver
The news headlines these days should destroy forever the use of the cliché “it can’t get any worse” when the topic is Illinois politics – and that includes Republican, Democrat, fiscal, etc.
The first question in the above headline is from a very unsurprising CBS News report about just how bad things are in Illinois. A few excerpts from the article:
A financial crunch is spiraling into a serious problem for Illinois lawmakers, prompting some observers to wonder if the state might make history by becoming the first to go bankrupt.
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Written by Carol Ostrow
Illinois lawmakers are using a seemingly surreptitious way to give themselves pay raises: creating new and useless committees for which they are automatically paid an extra $10,326 as chairmen, a Chicago-based think tank is arguing.
The Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) says that legislation enacted in the House in January created 12 new standing committees, bringing the total to 45.
“In Illinois, bloat doesn’t discriminate,” senior writer Austin Berg wrote on the group’s website.
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Written by John Biver
Pat Hughes from “Upstream Ideas” recently recorded a scathing short video slamming state Senate Republican Minority Leader Christine Radogno for her participation in the crafting of a budget “compromise” which includes a tax increase on Illinois families. That video can be seen here: ‘Republican’ Minority Leader Radogno Looking Out For Herself Not You.
It should be noted that Sen. Radogno has been the senate GOP leader since 2009, and was recently reelected to that position by her fellow Republicans.… Continue Reading
Tags: Bruce Rauner, Chris Kennedy, Christine Radogno, Dan Proft, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Republicans, Jeanne Ives, John Tillman, k-12 education, Michael Lucci, Pat Hughes, Steve Rauschenberger, Upstream Ideas
Illinois Politics | David E. Smith | February 11, 2017 11:00 AM | Comments Off on Will Illinois Republican Politicians Lead or Raise Taxes?
