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Archive for the ‘Immigration’ Category

WATCH: Chicago mayor labels state budget ‘austere,’ wants tax on ‘ultra-rich’

Posted in Cook, County, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Ethics, Immigration, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, The Center Square, The Chicago Way, Unions, Who Cuts Your Hair? on June 4, 2025| 1 Comment »

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson during a news conference in Chicago June 3, 2025 | Chicago Mayor’s Office / Facebook

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square

The mayor of Chicago has followed the lead of some Illinois state lawmakers by connecting state and local budget challenges with potential moves by the Trump administration.

Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke with members of the media Tuesday about Illinois’ record-high $55 billion-dollar spending plan passed by the General Assembly over the weekend.

“This budget was austere. There are budgetary challenges all over the country, and we’re faced with that because we do have a great deal of uncertainty, quite frankly, animosity that’s coming from the federal government,” the mayor said.

Johnson called President Donald Trump’s administration “tyrannical.”

State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, called out Illinois Democrats for blaming the state’s fiscal woes on the president.

“Hang on, I bet Donald Trump called the mayor of Chicago and asked him to tax everybody in Illinois,” Rose said during final budget debates over the weekend.

“This sinister man, orange man bad, made you put the $20 million in for the South Side Organizing Project,” Rose said in another speech on the Illinois Senate floor.

More including video here.

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District 220 Board of Education meets this evening

Posted in 220, Agendas, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Ethics, His Master's Voice, Immigration, Open Meetings Act, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Unions, Video Streaming, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on June 3, 2025| Leave a Comment »

The District 220 Board of Education meets this evening at 6:00 PM at the District Administration Center, 515 W. Main Street. Items on their agenda include:

  • FOIA Reports
  • Revised Personnel Report
  • Student Discipline Committee Report
  • Hazardous Crossing Resolution
  • List of Authorized Depositories
  • Renew Treasurer’s Bond
  • Declare Property Surplus and Authorize its Sale or Disposal
  • Award of Cooperative Paper Delivery Contract for Community Unit School District 220
  • Award of Cooperative Paper Delivery Contract on behalf of Participating School Districts and Public Bodies
  • Consideration to Approve Driver’s Education Waiver
  • Transform 220 Plan of Finance
  • IASB Resolution

A copy of the agenda can be viewed here. The meeting will be live-streamed on the district YouTube channel.

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New taxes on sports bets, nicotine products as Democrats pass $55.2B budget

Posted in Capitol News Illinois, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Immigration, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on June 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and members of his Democratic caucus applaud members of their staff early Sunday morning after the chamber approved the $55.2 billion budget bill. | Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki

By Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki | Capitol News Illinois
Giving almost no time for public review, Illinois Democrats pushed through a $55.2 billion budget for next fiscal year late Saturday, bolstering coffers with new taxes on sports bets, nicotine products and businesses.

The $55.2 billion spending plan is supported by $55.3 billion of revenue, including just over $1 billion in new taxes and revenue changes.

The four bills making up the budget and capital spending plan, were part of a flurry of thousands of pages of legislation that went from introduction to passage in the final 48 hours of the legislative session.

The budget marked a roughly 3.9% spending increase from the current year, while Republicans criticized it for containing few cuts. It raises about $500 million more in new revenue than what Gov. JB Pritzker proposed in February to make up for declining base revenues.

The minority party also aired frustration with supermajority Democrats for providing next to no time for public review of the massive spending plan and other major bills.

“We’re rushing this process like we always do. ‘Let’s hide this stuff. Let’s hide it so that the public doesn’t see it until it’s too late,’” Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, said.

State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, points out infrastructure projects that he describes a “pork” in the state budget on Saturday, May 31. | Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki

Democrats said it was the best budget they could manage in a difficult year. To address potential uncertainties stemming from federal policy changes, they gave the governor authority over a new $100 million “emergency” fund. And they frequently lobbed criticisms at President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.

“I am very pleased to be able to present a balanced budget crafted to be fiscally and socially responsible, because we see the decisions made in Washington right now are neither,” House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston said. “Erratic leadership in Washington has affected our economic outlook, our revenue projections, and even threatened federal funding for our most crucial services.”

Read more here.

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70 tax, fee hikes in 15 years. $110B from Illinois taxpayers. More coming?

Posted in Barrington Education Association, BOHICA, Commodius Maximus, Deception, Dinky, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Ethics, Fat Bastard, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions on May 15, 2025| 1 Comment »

Illinois leaders keep using tax hikes as a budget quick-fix, but the state’s fiscal troubles – and the taxpayer burden – persist. Here are the 70 tax and fee hikes state leaders have imposed during the past 15 years.

By Lauren Zuar | Illinois Policy Institute

Seventy tax and fee hikes in 15 years haven’t stopped Illinois’ financial dysfunction – they’ve enabled it.

After at least 70 tax and fee increases since 2011, Illinoisans last year paid $17.3 billion more. Since 2010 all those increases in the state’s tax burden has cost Illinois taxpayers more than $110 billion in additional taxes paid.

The result of all that new money?

Illinois has the nation’s lowest emergency reserves. Its government pension crisis has worsened, with $143.7 billion in unfunded liabilities and four of the country’s worst-funded state-run systems. And forecasts show a potential $1.2 billion budget shortfall in 2026.

This isn’t because of a lack of revenue, something Gov. J.B. Pritzker has even admitted. Illinois’ core budget issue is chronic overspending, which consistently outpaces economic growth and shows no signs of slowing during the next five years.

While tax hikes haven’t saved state finances as promised, their proponents keep pushing them: a progressive income tax, higher gas and liquor taxes, expanding sales taxes to services and new levies on everything from Netflix to soda to storage units. The Chicago Teachers Union and its allies recently proposed a $7.3 billion tax plan for 2026, including new taxes on digital ads and capital gains.

The result of too many tax hikes and too few results?

Illinois’ combined state and local tax burden is the seventh-highest in the nation in one analysis and No. 1 in another, voter trust is eroding and residents and businesses are leaving for lower-cost states. Over 420,000 residents have left since 2020. New polling found 54% of Illinois voters said high taxes were the state’s top issue, and nearly half said they’d consider moving.

Before the General Assembly’s 2026 budget deadline concludes and lawmakers float new tax ideas, here’s a look at Illinois’ hikes since 2011.

Read more here.

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Rep. Martin McLaughlin, Republican Lawmakers Unveil Over $5 Billion in Budget Savings

Posted in Deception, Ethics, Immigration, Politics, Press Release, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes on May 14, 2025| 2 Comments »

Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills

Barrington, IL – State Representative Martin McLaughlin (R-52) joined Republican colleagues, Chris Miller, Brad Halbrook, Adam Niemerg, Jed Davis, and Blaine Wilhour, today to unveil an alternative budget proposal identifying over $5 billion in savings. McLaughlin is challenging Governor Pritzker and the Democratic majority to prioritize the needs of Illinois citizens over unsustainable spending and sanctuary state policies.

“One year ago, I warned the Governor that his reckless spending priorities would drive Illinois into a significant deficit,” said McLaughlin. “Unfortunately, that prediction has come true. In the coming weeks, we fully expect the Democrats to present a $55 billion budget proposal filled with significant tax hikes in an attempt to balance the books.”

McLaughlin and fellow lawmakers highlighted wasteful spending on programs directing taxpayer money to non-governmental organizations that support illegal migrants—beyond the $1.6 billion Illinois spent on migrant healthcare last year.

“We must stop funding sanctuary state policies and start funding Illinois citizens’ needs,” McLaughlin said. “Whether you’re a Democrat, Independent, or Republican, it doesn’t matter—we all take the same oath: to protect and serve the public health and well-being of Illinois citizens, not the world’s population.”

At today’s press conference, McLaughlin and other legislators presented an alternative budget framework outlining more than $5 billion in potential savings. They also called for a full audit and review of costly programs like Medicaid to ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

“It’s time we invest in actual engineering—not social engineering,” said McLaughlin. “We need our public-school proficiency scores to improve and show a real return on the state’s increased spending. If the federal government can find savings, so can Illinois. We cannot allow our state’s economy to revolve solely around government jobs and moving companies. We must reduce spending, cut inflation, and deliver real results for residents—not just in the 52nd District, but across the entire state.”

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Illinois’ Great Exodus

Posted in Barrington Education Association, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Ethics, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes on May 6, 2025| Leave a Comment »

With migrants offsetting the population loss and Donald Trump available to blame, what do Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker have to worry about? | Photo by Mark Black

By Paul Vallas | Chicago Contrarian 

Outmigration is one of the clearest indicators of the effectiveness — or failure — of state and local government policies. By that measure, Illinois has failed decisively. From 2010 to 2020, Illinois was one of only three states to lose population, with the decline accelerating between 2022 and 2023. Border states like Indiana and Wisconsin, along with Florida, were the top three destinations for departing Illinoisans.

Over the past 20 years, Illinois has lost 1.6 million residents — third most in the nation. The population fell for 10 straight years, a trend only interrupted recently by the unprecedented influx of migrants. The outmigration is broad-based: Nearly every county in Illinois saw a population decline. Most alarming was Wirepoints report of a loss of over 40,000 households earning $200,000 or more. Though they represent just six percent of tax filers, they contribute nearly 40 percent of the state’s personal income tax revenue. Their departure is a major blow to the tax base. Illinois also ranks among the top states in business losses, trailing only New York and California.

Chicago’s population today is the lowest it has been in a century. Since 2000, the city has lost over 250,000 Black residents — mostly middle-income families. Children have been disproportionately affected, with the number of Black children (ages 17 and younger) declining by 49 percent, compared to a 14 percent drop in Black adults. Enrollment in Chicago Public Schools last year was less than half of what it was in the 1999–2000 school year.

The situation may get worse. A recent poll by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU found that 47 percent of Illinois residents say they would like to move out of the state. Twenty percent of those surveyed said it is extremely likely, somewhat likely, or likely that they will leave within the next year. This is unsurprising, given that state and local leaders appear either incapable or unwilling to confront the toxic mix of high crime, failing schools, sky-high taxes, and reckless spending that are driving residents away in record numbers.

While U.S. News & World Report ranks Illinois 15th among the states for overall crime, the state has some of the highest robbery rates in the country and ranks second in the Midwest for homicides. Although murders and shootings in Chicago have declined — mirroring a national trend following the end of pandemic-era restrictions —Chicago remains the nation’s murder capital, with nearly five times more murders than New York and two-and-a-half times more than Los Angeles.

Read more here.

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Report: Illinoisans pay the nation’s highest combined state, local taxes (We’re Number ONE!?)

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington Education Association, Commodius Maximus, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, Illinois Policy Institute, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on March 9, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Illinois families will pay the highest combined state and local tax burden in the nation this year on the median U.S. income. That’s $13,099, which will consume more than 16.5% of their money.

By Patrick Andriesen | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinois will impose the nation’s highest state and local taxes on residents in 2025, costing each household $13,099 – or more than 16.5% of their annual income – a new WalletHub report found.

Illinois households earning the median U.S. income of $79,004 will face the highest taxes in the nation. Those taxes will be $4,472 higher than the national average, or nearly 52% more.

Illinois is surrounded by states with lower tax rates, a driving factor behind the continued loss of Illinoisans that has only recently been offset by involuntary and other relocation by international migrants.

A move to Iowa, the neighboring state with the next-highest combined state and local tax rate, would save an Illinois family $2,715 on that $79,004 U.S. median household income. A move to Missouri, which boasts the lowest combined tax rate among Illinois’ neighbors, would save the family $5,315.

Over 50% of Illinois voters polled said they would move out of state if given the chance, citing high taxes as the main reason.

Read more here.

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District 220 Board of Education meets this evening

Posted in 220, Agendas, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, His Master's Voice, Hoffman Estates, Immigration, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Look For The Union Label, Open Meetings Act, Organizations, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, Video Streaming, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on March 4, 2025| Leave a Comment »

The District 220 Board of Education meets this evening at 6:00 PM at the District Administration Center, 515 W. Main Street. Items on their agenda include:

  • FOIA Reports
  • Revised Personnel Report
  • Consideration to Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Honorable Dismissal Due to Reduction in Force of Partial-Year Full-Time Educational Support Staff
  • Consideration to Approve BEA Memorandum of Understanding
  • First Reading of Board Policy

A copy of the agenda can be viewed here. The meeting will be live-streamed on the district YouTube channel.

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Willful indifference to cost: Illinois’ noncitizen healthcare scandal is worse than new audit show

Posted in Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Ethics, Immigration, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, Wirepoints on March 3, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) on floor of Illinois House in 2020. | Source: State Journal-Register

By Mark Glennon* | Wirepoints

Last week’s report from the Illinois auditor general was shocking enough, but the background makes it far worse.

The audit shows $1.6 billion spent on noncitizen healthcare, far outstripping the state’s appropriations and estimates and often including recipients not eligible for the program. What the audit doesn’t detail, however, is brazen, wanton malfeasance in how it all got started. State government knowingly printed a blank check, payable by taxpayers. Cost didn’t matter.

It began with legislation championed by Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago), then a state representative who had been appointed by local Democratic leadership after resignation of her predecessor.

In May 2020, Illinois became the first state to provide healthcare for illegal immigrants. The initial coverage that Ramirez proposed, for those 65 and older, was “tucked in near the end of the 465-page budget implementation bill that passed the Illinois General Assembly late Saturday night,” as reported by the State Journal-Register at the time.

The program would cost just $2 million per year, Ramirez, said. That estimate, apparently pulled out of thin air, became the sole cost estimate relied on. We wrote about that in 2023, as did Capital News Illinois. No further cost estimate was made. The estimate was repeated blindly by program supporters. “When progressive lawmakers first pushed for the creation [of the program,” as Capitol News Illinois correctly reiterated last week, “officials relied on advocates’ $2 million cost estimate for the program’s first year.”

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the bill without his office doing any separate cost review.

But the cost of the program blew through that estimate in just the program’s first month of operation in 2021, That’s according to a closed-door presentation by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to lawmakers given in 2023. The cost for the initial group of senior, noncitizen coverage was $188 million between March 2022 and February 2023, per that presentation.

Read more here.

*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.

Related: “Audit finds many were improperly enrolled in state health care program for noncitizens, while costs were vastly underestimated”

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Pritzker’s magic beans: Growing a record-setting $55B Illinois budget

Posted in Clown Car, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Ethics, Fat Bastard, Illinois Policy Institute, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, McHenry, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Unions, WTF on February 20, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker invoked a fairy tale about magic beans and a giant during his annual state of the state and budget address. Too bad he forgot to take an ax to the giant, record-setting budget he has grown by $16.7 billion since taking office. | AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File

By Bryce Hill | Illinois Policy Institute

Gov. J.B. Pritzker used his annual State of the State address Feb. 19 to deride those who dare disagree with his policies as “professional bellyachers” pushing “magic bean fixes” to the state’s problems.

Lost on him was the irony that his fiscal year 2026 budget proposal set another spending record at $55.2 billion that depends on its own set of magic beans, as have his past record-setting budgets.

Magic-bean budgeting

The most consequential information presented by Pritzker was within his proposed FY 2026 budget, which did not receive enough attention during his State of the State remarks. Pritzker’s proposed budget increases state spending to an all-time high of $55.2 billion – an increase of $2 billion from last years’ $53.2 billion spending plan.

If enacted, the state’s annual budget will have ballooned by $16.7 billion compared to 2019 levels.

Prior to the address, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget was projecting a $3 billion budget deficit as recently as last November. These projections estimated upcoming FY 2026 revenues would slightly decrease compared to 2025 levels, as Illinois’ economy was expected to slow compared to recent trends. The most recent Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability – a body of the state legislature that tracks revenues – was also reporting mixed revenue performance that seemed to confirm these projections. As of January, General Funds revenues had come in flat on a year-to-date basis when comparing FY 2024 and FY 2025 total resources.

However, Pritzker’s proposed budget is now relying on upward revisions in expected revenues to fund most of his proposed spending increases. The budget proposal now claims the state is expecting revenues to increase by more than $1.5 billion compared to current year revenues. That’s a large increase compared to the revenue reports from earlier this year and projections the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget made just three months ago. If these revenue projections do not materialize, taxpayers may be on the hook for future tax increases that the governor promised to avoid, cuts to state spending or some combination of the two.

Read more here.

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