Progress Illinois

This week, the 19-member Pension Modernization Task Force will finalize its report on how Illinois should reform its retirement benefit program for government employees. The panel includes lawmakers, labor leaders, business representatives, and public pensioners.  Because ...

If there's one thing observers of Illinois politics can agree on, it's that next year's state budget deficit is going to be extraordinary. Not only are billions in federal stimulus money scheduled to dry up, but state officials will soon have to pay out $3.5 billion in ...

State legislators headed back to Springfield today to begin the second and final week of the fall veto session. Here's a quick rundown of the issues they are taking up.

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 ...