Illinois budget
Topinka Looking to Solidify Her Position?
It could be conservative fiscal responsibility, or possibly an opportunity to reduce the number of seats the Democrats could capture in the 2014 elections to understand Republican support for an amendment to do away with the state treasurers’ office
Long Time Republican Pol Leaves Illinois in Sadness and Disgust
Former State Senator and Republican Cook County Board President candidate Roger Keats and his wife Tina left Illinois to live in Texas. They bid farewell to their friends in a Wilmette Beacon article and with this letter last weekend, saying they are “voting with their feet and their wallets”
Freshmen Republicans in Springfield
Individually, freshman legislators don’t have a lot of sway in the Democratic – controlled statehouse. The legislative leaders generally hold the power in Springfield, deciding what legislation moves forward and what dies. And yet, as a group, the newcomers are a substantial voting bloc. Whether they will flex their collective muscle to shape the budget only will become clear over time.
Topinka Offers Alternatives to State Bankruptcy
After House leader Eric Cantor announced states will not get bailouts, Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka appeared on Fox Business News to put forth her list of “painless” cuts.
“States should not get bailouts,” Topinka says, “We need to carry our own weight.
Audit Pending for State Pension Fund?
Feds looking at Illinois’ public employee pension system. Lawmakers voice support.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into the state’s underfunded pension fund, and some lawmakers are eager for an audit. Last week, lawmakers cited a Moody’s report regarding the SEC involvement and stating that the state’s pension system is funded only by 50 percent with liabilities close to $83 billion.
Illinois Tax Laws Driving People, Business Away
High taxes kill states. There can be no better evidence than the 2010 Census. The states that lost House seats because they’re shrinking, relative to the nation, had taxes 27 percent higher than the ones that gained seats. Some 1.7 million people left New York State in the last decade, the largest exodus any state experienced. Upstate New York is dying, killed by high taxes. Will Illinois be next?
The Death Penalty and License Plates
Governor Quinn wants public input on whether to abolish death penalty: What would you tell him? Illinois could join 19 other states that only require one license plate, instead of two, under legislation recently introduced in the state House.
Quinn says he’d like to hear from the citizens of Illinois before he decides whether to sign legislation that would abolish the death penalty in the state.
A Capital Report You Haven’t Seen
Trade association keeps an eye on the Illinois Legislature: Strives to educate voters to the behavior of politicians.
The Illinois Association of REALTORS®—one of the largest trade associations in the state with 46,000 members. Founded in 1916, is the leading private property advocate in Illinois, recommending and promoting legislation that safeguards and advances the interests of real property ownership while also being the recognized voice for real estate in Illinois. IAR is an advocate for a healthy business environment and a resource for its members to deliver ethical and professional services to the public and to one another.
All You Illinoisans That Voted Democrat. This is For You.
The corrupt Chicago – Springfield cabal, which has run this state for generations, is at it again. The Boston Tea Party was about Taxation without Representation and it ignited a revolution that changed the face of the world. When will Illinois have its own revolution? It should have happened in November.
The state (Democrats) wants to take a bigger chunk out of your paycheck and raise cigarette taxes by a buck a pack under a post-election, revenue-boosting plan floated last week by Illinois Democrats.
Thanks to the Democrats, Illinois in Trouble
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. — Thomas Jefferson
Cook County’s property tax system has become so overburdened by exemptions and layers of administration in the past decade that the Chicago-based Civic Federation believes it’s not working like it should.
ICE Most Commented