June, 2017 Stories | Dupage Policy Journal

Rauner tells people: Power of change is in your hands alone

By Giovanni Whaley | Jun 23, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner told listeners of the "Chicago's Morning Answer" radio show that they'd better not rely on entrenched politicians to save them.

Illinois among states seen as on the precipice of a pension disaster

By Justin Stoltzfus | Jun 23, 2017

Officials in Springfield and around the country are talking about a “pension cliff” and trying to determine what will happen as large numbers of educators become fully vested in school district pension benefit systems.

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'Panicked' Democrats fear House downfall after approving school funding bill, radio host says

By Karen Kidd | Jun 23, 2017

Democratic state lawmakers showed their true colors in May when they demanded an investigation into an article about apparently doomed school funding reform legislation, a radio show co-host said recently.

Brady urges support for 'plan that works for the people of Illinois'

By Hoang Tran | Jun 23, 2017

The first day of the special legislative session ended on Wednesday with little to no progress on a budget or reforms despite Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and several of his Republican colleagues urging lawmakers to use the time effectively.

Overtaxed Illinoisans also seeing nation's smallest growth in personal income

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 23, 2017

Illinois’ average personal income growth since the Great Recession is tied with Nevada for the worst in the country, according to data from the Pew Charitable Trusts recently published on the Illinois Policy Institute website.

Brady calls GOP proposals 'real solutions' for extra session

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 21, 2017

Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) said he and his colleagues plan to end the budget impasse during the special session called by Gov. Bruce Rauner, according to a press release.

Barickman calls General Assembly close to budget deal

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 21, 2017

Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) said he believes the General Assembly is close to a compromise in a recent statement supporting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s call for a special session to end the budget impasse.

Rauner urges political unity to save the future of Illinois

By Hoang Tran | Jun 20, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner urged Democratic and Republican lawmakers on Tuesday to unite and pass a balanced budget that will fund Illinois and get it back on its feet.

Illinois State can teach taxpayers where real tuition problem lies, policy group says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 18, 2017

Illinois State University paid former President Timothy Flanagan nearly $700,000 in fiscal year 2014, a good illustration of how high administrative costs lead to high pension costs and increased tuition in Illinois’ higher education system, according the Illinois Policy Institute.

Brady honors long-serving Fairbury superintendent

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 18, 2017

Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) recently led the Illinois House in honoring Fairbury City Superintendent Leroy McPherson, who will retire at the end of June after 55 years of service to his community, according to a press release.

Taxpayers say 'reform,' but lawmakers hear 'more taxes,' policy pro says

By Karen Kidd | Jun 17, 2017

Illinois lawmakers betray their ignorance of the needs and opinions of taxpayers when they pass huge tax increases as a way out of the ongoing budget impasse, a policy expert said on a radio program recently.

Ex-state senator sues over 'unconstitutional' skipped paychecks, years after supporting skipped pay

By Scott Holland, Cook County Record | Jun 17, 2017

A former member of the Illinois Senate is suing the state’s comptroller to get money he claims was denied him during a decade in office — even though he voted for the measure he now claims is illegal.

Elections board will be 'toast' without new computers by 2018 elections, official says

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 16, 2017

Illinois’ ongoing budget problem has left the State Board of Elections in a financial hole so deep that agency officials claim they can’t afford the new computers they need to handle the number of candidates filing petitions to run in next year’s elections.