Ends and Means

The most recent attempt at changing the way legislative districts are drawn might have had a shot — had only the proposal left the auditor general out of…

Illinois political leaders’ performance on the budget is reminiscent of the losingest team in modern baseball. Commentary — “Can’t Anybody Here Play This…

Looking beyond our state’s borders and into Illinois’ past for a playbook to end the current budget standoff. Commentary — Last November, disgruntled…

The governor's budget address had few specifics about his priorities, or his plans to balance the state's spending with its revenue. Commentary — When is…

Commentary — Might we be seeing light at the end of the tunnel? Or is it the headlamps of the ongoing train wreck that is Illinois, picking up speed? Such…

The Illinois Constitution turns 45 on December 15. As the document reaches its birthday, Charlie Wheeler looks at the ways it modernized government.…

The constitutional requirement for a balanced budget is not as strict as you might think.Commentary — “Today I veto House Bill 4146 from the 99th General…

Commentary — Let’s be blunt: Illinois needs higher taxes.That statement might come as a shock to citizens under the illusion that all would be well, if…

Columnist Charlie Wheeler proposes a way out of the current stalemate in state government.News Analysis — As the state’s current budget impasse persists,…

The state may still be far from a budget deal, but the General Assembly was able to pass several criminal justice reforms in the spring legislative…