If a scorching report by a state ethics watchdog is correct, Doug Baker should no longer be president of Northern Illinois University.

Michael Noland, a Democrat from Elgin, contends that not getting the raises violates a provision in the Illinois Constitution that bars changes to a lawmaker’s pay during a term in office.

By actuary Mary Pat Campbell.

House Bill 1316 would force taxpayers to help fill the gap between high tuition costs and student affordability. The bill would increase government spending, but undermine Illinois’ public colleges and universities’ incentive to lower tuition costs to compete for students.

The truth is it’s impossible to pass a budget without making decisions about Rauner’s original reform agenda. The “Turnaround Agenda” is full of direct budgetary items.

“Property taxes are high because the state has failed to fulfill its constitutional mandate to fund public education.”

Property taxes are set to increase in Madison and St. Clair counties, and local taxpayers should know that through TIF districts, politicians divert tax dollars that could go toward schools, libraries and public services to separate accounts that foster a lack of transparency and accountability.