The Civic Federation is pushing a $30 billion tax hike in Illinois, following the same mistaken path that got Illinois in today’s fiscal crisis.

Comment: As states with comparatively small pension problems make reforms, Illinois will be rendered still less competitive.

Comment: Not one suggests his own plan. Put up or shut up.

She forgot to mention that she got $280,000 for one speech to GTCR, Rauner’s old firm!

Comment: Separately, Dold said he wants to “cover the hell” out of politics. Let’s hope Dold recognizes how poorly the fiscal crisis is covered.Political reporters just don’t understand fiscal issues well enough to cover them.

I stand before you today with respect for our co-equal branches of government – acknowledgment of our shared responsibility for the future – and a deeply-rooted desire to work with each and every one of you to right our ship of state. Although we succeeded last year in eliminating an inherited $1.6 billion budget hole without a tax hike, we are now in our 8th month without a state budget – and court orders are forcing us to spend beyond our means. Shocking, yes. Acceptable, not even close. For more than two decades, we’ve had unsustainable unbalanced budgets, undisciplined spending,

State lawmakers have effectively exempted themselves from the consequences of budget gridlock.

A recent Gallup poll found residents in states with higher tax burdens are more likely to want to move. Illinoisans are the third-most-likely to say they would prefer to move permanently to another state.

Bill sponsor Rep. Andre Thapedi says President Obama’s distinctions as a Nobel Peace Prize winner and first black president of the United States are reasons to honor him.

A U.S. Supreme Court case that could affect Gov. Bruce Rauner’s move to do away with unions’ so-called “fair share” payments is among those thrown into question by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.