State of Illinois

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Increased Unemployment Corrodes State Revenues

The State of Illinois’ personal income tax revenue for FY2010 is now expected to be $850 million lower than projected when the budget was approved in July 2009, according to David…

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UPDATE: Cook County Veto Override Legislation

The Illinois House of Representatives voted on October 14, 2009 to reduce the number of votes required to override a veto by the Cook County Board President from an extraordinary four-fifths—or 14 of 17 commissioners—to three-fifths or 11…

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Governor Requires State Retirees to Pay for Dental Coverage

As part of his efforts to rein in the State of Illinois budget, Governor Pat Quinn is requiring all state retirees to contribute to the costs of their dental…

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Medicaid Prescription Drug Abuse Alleged in Illinois and Other States

Tens of thousands of Medicaid recipients and doctors were involved in potentially fraudulent or abusive purchases of prescription drugs in 2006 and 2007 in five states, including Illinois, according to…

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Video Poker a Gamble for Capital Funding

The surprise expansion of gambling to all corners of Illinois in the form of legalized video poker that was enacted by the General Assembly has not been well received by many residents or local governments. A recent poll conducted by the…

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Use of Education Stimulus Money in Illinois Raises Concerns

A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) says that more information is needed to determine whether local school districts that receive federal stimulus money…

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Chicago TIF Still Cloudy, Even Under Sunshine Ordinance

One of the Civic Federation’s ongoing concerns has been transparency in the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) by the City of Chicago and State of Illinois. Although the Civic Federation supports the use of TIF as municipal economic…

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The Check is (Not) in the Mail

The Governor’s office recently published its first official document that included details of the revenues and expenditures approved by the General Assembly for FY2010 fiscal year. The Official Statement accompanying the sale of $1.25…

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Governor Closes Howe Center Despite Union Opposition

Governor Pat Quinn has decided that the State of Illinois will shut down its troubled Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park and move residents to other quarters by April 2010. The decision,…

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A Consumer’s Guide to the Illinois State Sales Tax Increase

Starting today, increases in the taxation rates on soft drinks, personal grooming and hygiene products, and candy will take effect to help pay for…