The Initiative that Created the Modern Organizational Structure of the General Assembly Topic: Politics & Public Management Overview Prior to 1980, the structure of the General Assembly looked very different. Instead of having one House representative per House district, each district contained three state representatives, plus a Senator. This resulted in bigger legislative districts andContinue reading “Pat Quinn’s Cut Back Amendment”
Author Archives: prairiestatepolicyllc
What is Home Rule?
Background The concept of home rule was first adopted in Article VII, Section 6 of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 to give units of local government greater power to pursue, implement, and administer its own policy initiatives, rather than the intervention of the state’s interests and power. Specifically, it allows municipalities of populations greater than 25,000 toContinue reading “What is Home Rule?”
Analyzing State Population Growth Among Various Income Tax Structures
Abstract While it was previously argued that gradual income taxation did not decrease population growth in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, some still remain fixated that graduated income taxation will result in an outmigration of individuals to other states. This brief study analyzes population growth for each state from 2010 to 2019 and then seeks toContinue reading “Analyzing State Population Growth Among Various Income Tax Structures”
An Overview of the Illinois Tollway
By: Ryley Bruun A Brief History In 1953, the Illinois State Toll Highway Commission was formed. The original intent of the tollway was for interstate travel across the county, rather than domestic commuters. With the Toll Highway Act, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) was given power to generate revenue via tolls to payContinue reading “An Overview of the Illinois Tollway”
Dissecting Illinois’ Pension Problem Part IV: History of Neglect (The 2010s)
The following is a continuation of Dissecting Illinois’ Pension Problem Part IV: History of Neglect (The 2000s) Illinois Public Act 96-0889 (2010) This legislation created a new tier of benefits for public employees hired after January 1, 2011 in lieu of the rising liabilities and was signed April 4, 2010 by Governor Quinn. Tier 1 membershipContinue reading “Dissecting Illinois’ Pension Problem Part IV: History of Neglect (The 2010s)”
Dissecting Illinois’ Pension Problem Part IV: History of Neglect (The 2000s)
The following is a continuation of Dissecting Illinois’ Pension Problem Part IV: History of Neglect (The 1990s) Overview The State of Illinois’ growing underfunded liabilities was the folly of many and not subjected to a single action. It was the compounded effect of many various decisions made by different individuals over decades. Part IV in ourContinue reading “Dissecting Illinois’ Pension Problem Part IV: History of Neglect (The 2000s)”
Dissecting Illinois’ Pension Problem Part IV: History of Neglect (The 1990s)
The following is a continuation of Dissecting Illinois’ Pension Problem Part III: Understanding Tiers Overview The State of Illinois’ growing underfunded liabilities was the folly of many and not subjected to a single action. It was the compounded effect of many various decisions made by different individuals over decades. Part IV in our Illinois Pension seriesContinue reading “Dissecting Illinois’ Pension Problem Part IV: History of Neglect (The 1990s)”
Dissecting Illinois’ Pension Problem Part III: Understanding Tiers
The following is a continuation of Dissecting Illinois’ Public Pension Problem Part II: Modeling Pensions. Overview Public employees are separated into two tiers, depending on when they began employment, and each tier contains a different vesting structure for their pension. The two tiers are simply referred to as Tier I and Tier II. Tier I EmployeesContinue reading “Dissecting Illinois’ Pension Problem Part III: Understanding Tiers”
Back-to-School Angst During COVID-19
By: Elyse Hoffenberg Contributing Writer Lately, every time I bump into an acquaintance or friend, the question inevitably arises, “will you send your kids back to school or will they remote learn?” It is an issue weighing on every parent’s and even some grandparents’ minds. For me, the question is particularly worrisome and distressing asContinue reading “Back-to-School Angst During COVID-19”
A Contemporary Solution to Help Expand Voting Access in Illinois
By: Quinn Newman Topic: Online Voting Issue: Expanding Voting Access During COVID-19 Problem: The spread of COVID-19 in Illinois has many concerned about the structure and process of the November election. Considering the dangers of in-person voting for a majority of the population, alternative measures need to be pursued. Voting by mail could be a potentialContinue reading “A Contemporary Solution to Help Expand Voting Access in Illinois”
Prairie State Policy 