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PI Original
by Adam Doster
10:18am
Wed Oct 28, 2009

The Immortal Managed Care Myth

State budget

Medicaid "reform" as the cure-all to the state's budget woes is one
myth that just won't die. The latest Republican official to predict
gigantic cost savings without showing any support for the claim is
State Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Addison), who suggested ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
10:03am
Mon Oct 26, 2009

SJ-R: Fiscal Irresponsibility "Has To End"

Taxes

Amidst a recession, it's so easy for candidates (and editorial boards) to
demagogue against proposed income tax hikes.  Therefore, it's rare to see public arguments in favor of tax reform made with the
subtlety and perspective that's required both to understand and address ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
4:45pm
Thu Oct 22, 2009

Study: Illinois Middle Of The Pack On Energy Efficiency

Environment

The facts are pretty clear. If not addressed immediately, global
warming is going to have serious consequences for how Americans,
including those in the Midwest, live and work.  International leaders will attempt to forge a strong global treaty in December to replace
the ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
10:40am
Thu Oct 22, 2009
2 comments

The "Four Tops" And Statehouse Contributions

Campaign finance

When the General Assembly reconvenes next week for the final three days of their fall veto session, all eyes will turn to SB 1466, the bill introduced by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) to overhaul the state's campaign finance system. This version addresses ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
1:50pm
Wed Oct 21, 2009

New Poll Reinforces The Need For Political Courage In Springfield

State Legislature

The folks at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute have had a busy week. After unveiling Monday
an interesting statewide poll on campaign finance reform, the
organization turned its attention today to their findings on the state
budget. For proponents of tax reform, the ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
4:44pm
Tue Oct 20, 2009
1 comment

Burns: "The State Of Illinois Is Not A Business"

Chicago Tonight

Yesterday evening, Carol Marin convened a roundtable of state legislators on WTTW's Chicago Tonight to talk about the latest developments in the fall veto session. Not surprisingly, the conversation quickly turned to an item that's conspicuously absent from Springfield's ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
5:47pm
Mon Oct 19, 2009
1 comment

Poll: The State Of Illinois Govt. Is "No Laughing Matter"

Campaign finance

Last week, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) made the latest move in the back-and-forth over campaign finance reform when he attempted to ram through a rewrite of campaign contribution caps legislation (SB 1466),
blindsiding the government watchdogs who had been ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
4:44pm
Fri Oct 16, 2009

The Latest Example Of Illinois' Achievement Gap

State Legislature

The evidence that Illinois' education system is riddled with shortcomings just keeps mounting. The latest, the results of last spring's National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math exams, has garnered surprisingly little attention but drives home how inequitable ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
1:02pm
Fri Oct 16, 2009
1 comment

Soto's School Closure Bill Stands

State Legislature

Back in August, Gov. Pat Quinn dealt a blow
to school transparency when he issued an amendatory veto against a bill
that would give the public a voice in the rapid privatization of
Chicago's schools. The measure, introduced by State Rep. Cynthia Soto
(D-Chicago), ...