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State of Illinois
Quick Hit
by Angela Caputo
1:24pm
Sat Jan 23, 2010

Here Comes The "Cliff"

Five months ago, Illinois State Board of Education Chair Jesse Ruiz warned that chronic revenue shortfalls were pushing the public school system towards a "cliff." Now he's peering over the edge. As anticipated, Illinois will need to find $1 billion to maintain current levels of state funding next year and Supt. Chris Koch warned this month that rolling back (PDF) state aid appears to be a real possibility. In response, districts are beginning to consider school closures, increased class sizes, and cuts to teachers and extracurricular activities.  Meanwhile, the statehouse remains quiet as the Democratic leadership waits for the primary to pass. Welcome to Illinois ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
6:57pm
Fri Jan 22, 2010
2 comments

Will This Be The Year For Civil Unions?

Gay Rights

Will 2010 be the year that State Rep. Greg Harris' civil unions bill passes the General Assembly?

Quick Hit
by Angela Caputo
9:09pm
Wed Jan 20, 2010

Bankrupt, In Trouble, Or In The Clear?

ProPublica checks in on each state's unemployment fund. Find out who's bankrupt, who's in trouble, and who's in the clear. Heads up: There's still no good news to report from Illinois.

PI Original
by Adam Doster
3:10pm
Wed Jan 20, 2010

Why Cutting Medicaid Is Not A Solution

State budget

With the debts mounting and no end to the recession in sight, everyone with a hand in state government is looking for ways to balance Illinois' budget. For some political figures -- including several Republican gubernatorial candidates -- the state's Medicaid program is a ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
1:55pm
Wed Jan 20, 2010

Will State Lawmakers Take On TIF This Year?

Taxes

For years, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has played fast and loose with the state's tax increment financing (TIF) laws. Aside from creating dozens of districts in areas that are far from blighted, the mayor has used the vast TIF network as a shadow budget, avoiding oversight ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:02am
Wed Jan 20, 2010
1 comment

Would Hynes' Plan Really "Get Us Out Of This Mess"?

IL-Governor

As Dan Hynes' Democratic gubernatorial campaign has gained traction in the past week, his proposal to institute a progressive income tax system has once again received attention in the media as a potential solution to the ongoing budget crisis.  For instance, a recent ...