Millionaire Tax Framed as “Relief” for High Property Tax Burden

Written by David E. Smith

Former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently held a press conference at the State Capitol to push for property tax relief. And he’s right about one thing: Illinois property taxes are crushing families. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, our state has the second highest property tax in the nation. And yes, we agree that relief is needed.

But instead of addressing the root problem—out-of-control government spending—Democrats are proposing yet another tax.… Continue Reading

Illinois House Democrat Aides Illegally Vote on Legislation

Written by Gabriel Syme 

The Pulitzer Prize winning author, Studs Terkel once wrote, “Chicago is not the most corrupt American city…it is the most theatrically corrupt!” The same can unfortunately be said about the state of Illinois as a whole.

Earlier this month, Democrats in the Illinois House tried to take that corrupt Chicago Way to a new theatrical level while trying to pass legislation late at night. Because Democrat members, one by one, went home or slipped out of the chamber, they did not have the 60-vote majority they needed to pass legislation this late at night.… Continue Reading

Ranked-Choice Voting – Missing the Point on Needed Reform in Illinois

Written by Nancy Hayes

History tends to repeat itself. This is certainly true of “Ranked Choice Voting” in Illinois.

You may remember a junior state senator in Illinois by the name of Barack Obama. In 2001, then-Senator Obama introduced a bill that would have put on the ballot a Constitutional Amendment to elect the Illinois House of Representatives by “fair voting” in 3-seat districts elected by voters given cumulative voting rights.

Then, in 2002, Obama introduced a bill that would have required that partisan primaries for congressional office be conducted by “instant runoff voting” or IRV, also known as ranked-choice voting.… Continue Reading