East Central Reporter

Last week, Republican lawmakers in Illinois presented a set of legislative proposals aimed at introducing ethics reforms in the statehouse. The proposals are designed to restore public confidence in government and combat corruption. State Representative Chris Miller pointed to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan as an instance of organized corruption undermining trust in the state government.

The proposed legislation includes bills that strengthen the powers of the Legislative Inspector General, address lobbying reform at the local government level, and close loopholes in the revolving door policy allowing legislators to become lobbyists quickly. Other measures include implementing a three-year lobbying ban for General Assembly members, reforms on representation cases and recusals, and banning the use of campaign funds for legal defenses. The Republicans also propose a 72-hour budget review before any budget vote.

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA) reported a strong performance in March 2025 for the state's income tax revenues. After a dip in February, General Funds receipts rose by $209 million. A significant portion of this growth originated from Personal Income Tax, which increased by $445 million. Adjustments reallocating certain business-related tax payments to Personal Income Tax contributed to these gains. However, the Corporate Income Tax continued to lag behind initial expectations.

While Sales Tax receipts showed some growth, they were not enough to meet projections due to distribution adjustments and decreased consumer confidence. Federal Sources deposits were also down, requiring strong future performance to meet fiscal goals.

As CGFA analyzed the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Plan, it highlighted spending on transportation and non-transportation projects funded by various state sources. Rising interest rates and construction costs are affecting the state's borrowing capacity, yet Illinois benefits from previously low worldwide interest rates. An October 2024 bond sale managed a 3.329% interest rate, but by March 2025, the Illinois rate was higher compared to AAA-rated counterparts.

A study by the Illinois Policy Institute found that while Cook County home values rose by only 7.3% between 2007 and 2024, property tax bills increased by 78%. This discrepancy resulted from rising extensions by taxing bodies rather than increased home values. In response, House Republicans introduced measures for property tax relief across Illinois counties.

The tax filing deadline approaches on April 15, with electronic filing options available for most Illinois taxpayers. Meanwhile, unemployment rates in metro Chicago rose slightly to 5.3% in February 2025, indicating a stagnant job market. Other areas like Bloomington and Champaign-Urbana recorded lower unemployment rates.

A survey showed a 50% increase in Illinois home insurance premiums between 2021 and 2024, marking the second-worst rate hike in the U.S. This trend poses challenges for prospective homeowners, as full property insurance is required for mortgage approvals.