June 2020 – Prairie State Policy

The U.S. Census’ Impact on Federal Funding for Illinois and Municipalities

By: Ryley Bruun, Writer Topic: Finance Issue: The Financial Impact of the U.S. Census on Illinois Problem: Communities that have a low participation rate taking the U.S. Census will not receive as much financial aid from the federal government compared to communities with higher rates. This can create a vicious cycle where historically underinvested areasContinue reading “The U.S. Census’ Impact on Federal Funding for Illinois and Municipalities”

Changing Societal Norms and Culture Requires Reexamining Our History

[On race and society] By: Christopher Ryan Crisanti Published: June 21, 2020 The murder of George Floyd has provoked discussion of racism and social justice into other areas of society, such as sports and pop culture. While some contend this is inappropriate or unnecessary, the reality is that change is only possible through reshaping societalContinue reading “Changing Societal Norms and Culture Requires Reexamining Our History”

Illinois FY 2021 Budget

Revenue *P.A. 101-0008 Revenues refer to anticipated revenue effective January 1, 2021 from the adjustment of individual and corporate tax rates if SJRCA 1 is adopted by the people of Illinois.

Illinois’ Sales Tax Structure

The State’s Tax Reliance on Goods Overview The State of Illinois primarily taxes goods as opposed to services. Currently, the state taxes 17 services with 12 coming from public utilities. This narrow base is poor to adapting to changing in the economic climate because it becomes overly dependent on taxes from only a few services belonging toContinue reading “Illinois’ Sales Tax Structure”

Examining Aldermanic Menu Money

Topic: Public Management Background The city of Chicago’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) was created roughly twenty years ago via ordinance signed by then mayor Richard M. Daley. The program provides each alderman from the city’s 50 wards with a specific amount of money to use for capital improvement projects, such as sidewalk repairs, fixing streetContinue reading “Examining Aldermanic Menu Money”

Two Not-So-Complex Ideas to Help Fight Poverty and Enhance Economic Mobility

By: Christopher Ryan Crisanti [On economics] Take a trip to the loop on an average workday and you will be distraught to find many individuals who are homeless. Further, travel just fifteen minutes to our region’s many neighborhoods and you will find a similar economic prevalence, where the middle class are struggling to make endsContinue reading “Two Not-So-Complex Ideas to Help Fight Poverty and Enhance Economic Mobility”