Illinois Budget Policy Toolbox

Rick Winkel served in the legislature from 1995 to 2003. Now he is Director of the Office of Public Leadership at the University of Illinois' Institute of…

House Speaker Michael Madigan pulled his plan for a so-called "millionaire tax" last week. The plan would have raised taxes on those earning $1 million or…

Illinois is like most states when it comes to budget challenges. Leaders must decide how to use tax dollars to pay for a variety of services. But Illinois…

When Illinois lawmakers are in need of more revenue, they often turn to sin. Sin taxes, that is. Those are taxes placed on items that can be considered…