June, 2017 Stories | Dupage Policy Journal

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.

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.

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.

Blue Ridge Community Unit School District 18 Board of Education will meet June 21.

By Ma. Angelica Saylo Pilo | Jun 20, 2017

Blue Ridge Community Unit School District 18 Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21.

Blue Ridge Community Unit School District 18 Board of Education met June 21.

By Ma. Angelica Saylo Pilo | Jun 20, 2017

Blue Ridge Community Unit School District 18 Board of Education will meet at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, June 21.

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.

Rauner, GOP bemoan budget breakdown, blame bickering Democrats

By Hoang Tran | Jun 9, 2017

“Today we’ve seen a complete dereliction of duty by the majority in the General Assembly,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said after the 100th session of the General Assembly closed. “Once again, a tragic failure to serve the people of Illinois. A tragic failure to pass a balanced budget along with critical structural changes to protect taxpayers and grow more jobs.”

All play and no work — yet legislators still draw paychecks, policy pro argues

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 9, 2017

Lawmakers have spent very little time in their seats, but at least they got to have play time, Austin Berg wrote on the Illinois Policy Institute website recently.

General Assembly gives itself another month to reach budget accord

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 8, 2017

The General Assembly will meet in a continuous session through June to try to put a budget in place for the new fiscal year, which begins on July 1.

Budget breakdown lands Illinois one step from junk bond rating

By Ruth de Jauregui | Jun 8, 2017

Illinois did something this week that no state has ever done: received a downgraded credit rating to near-junk bond status.

Decatur home prices fall in May 2017

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 7, 2017

The median sale price of a home sold in May 2017 in Decatur fell by $6,250 while total sales decreased by 18.1%.

Forsyth home prices fall in May 2017

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 7, 2017

The median sale price of a home sold in May 2017 in Forsyth fell by $13,500 while total sales decreased by 69.2%.

Macon home prices rise in May 2017

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 7, 2017

The median sale price of a home sold in May 2017 in Macon rose by $15,250 while total sales increased by 50%.

Mount Zion home prices rise in May 2017

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 7, 2017

The median sale price of a home sold in May 2017 in Mount Zion rose by $35,900 while total sales increased by 22.2%.

Long Creek home prices rise in May 2017

By Local Labs News Service | Jun 7, 2017

The median sale price of a home sold in May 2017 in Long Creek rose by $24,050 while total sales increased by 12.5%.

Charleston legislator targeted by vandalism; union connection suspected

By Glenn Minnis | Jun 2, 2017

Rep. Reggie Phillips (R-Charleston) is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the capture of vandals who raided one of his senior-assisted living construction worksites and damaged valuable equipment.