Vimbai Chikomo Stories | Dupage Policy Journal

Report: Most of Illinois universities' state funds go toward pensions

By Vimbai Chikomo | Aug 3, 2016

Most state funds that Illinois’ public universities receive go toward retiree pensions, a recent report said.

Report: Illinois lawmakers' pay twice as high than in neighboring states

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jul 27, 2016

While Illinois lawmakers managed to agree on a Band-Aid solution for the state’s deep financial catastrophe, aside from a delay in their salaries, there haven’t been any financial repercussions for legislators failing to pass a full budget for fiscal year 2016.

Moody's downgrades 15 Illinois community colleges' bond ratings

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jul 25, 2016

More than a dozen community colleges in Illinois have become the latest casualties of the budget stalemate that has dragged on for over a year.

Legal experts: Mautino should lose pension if convicted

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jul 20, 2016

Following a recent move by Illinois lawmakers to have Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino removed from office amid state and federal investigations into questionable campaign spending during his tenure as state representative, questions have been raised about whether Mautino should lose his pension if convicted.

Madigan accused of interfering with reforms favoring middle class

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jul 20, 2016

House Speaker Michael Madigan is standing in the way of middle-class families and the prosperity they deserve, the Illinois Policy Institute says.

In Ball State business-climate state ranking, Illinois 46th

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jul 18, 2016

Ball State University in Indiana has created a new business-climate ranking system called the States’ Business Climates Index, in which Illinois ranked 46th out of 50.

Think tank: State has been shortchanging social services for over a decade

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jul 13, 2016

Over the years, Illinois’ budget fiasco has dealt many of the state’s social service providers knockout blows.

Report: State pension reform needed to avoid 'catastrophic' fate

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jul 13, 2016

Taxpayers United of America (TUA) recently released its 10th Annual Illinois State Pensions Report examining the state’s General Assembly Retirement System (GARS), Judges’ Retirement System (JRS), Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), State Universities Retirement System (SURS), State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

Rauner, GOP say stopgap budget the first step toward something greater

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jul 6, 2016

After months of disagreements regarding the state budget, Illinois lawmakers found themselves in a friendlier place after the General Assembly passed a stopgap budget late last week that will temporarily fund the state’s schools and basic human services through January.

Rauner, mayors urge Dem leaders to back stopgap, school bills

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jun 30, 2016

Gov. Bruce Rauner and several mayors from around Illinois recently appealed to Democrats in the General Assembly to return to Springfield and pass the stopgap budget (HB 6585/SB 3435) and education budget (HB 6583/SB 3434).

Rauner urges legislators to do 'the right thing' and pass stopgap budget

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jun 22, 2016

As the fate of Illinois’ public schools and government-funded agencies continues to hang in limbo, Gov. Bruce Rauner is urging members of the General Assembly to come together to vote on an education bill and a stopgap budget to fund the state’s essential services over the next several months.

IDOT chief: Stopgap bill would prevent likely project shutdowns

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jun 22, 2016

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) may be forced to shut down all of its 800-plus projects around the state next month if stopgap funding is not received by the end of June.

ISBE validates Independent Map Amendment’s petition signatures

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jun 20, 2016

The Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBE) voted unanimously last week to validate the Independent Map Amendment’s petition signatures.

Activist group calls for Mautino to resign after he takes the Fifth in probe

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jun 10, 2016

SPRINGFIELD -- The Edgar County Watchdogs is calling for Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino to resign after he pled the Fifth to avoid incriminating himself in an investigation by the Illinois State Board of Elections last week.

Dist. 96 candidate calls legislators who voted for Madigan's imbalanced budget ‘irresponsible’

By Vimbai Chikomo | Jun 2, 2016

Illinois Republicans, including District 96 House candidate Cindy Deadrick Wolfer, were shocked and dismayed when Democrats recently approved House Speaker Michael Madigan’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which called for the state to spend $7.2 million more than it would rake in.

Illinois taxpayer rally to be held in Springfield on May 17

By Vimbai Chikomo | May 12, 2016

Taxpayers will have the opportunity to have their voices heard by gathering together for a Taxpayer Advocacy Day at the Illinois Statehouse on Tuesday, May 17.

GOP lawmakers send third letter to Auditor General demanding answers on questionable campaign spending

By Vimbai Chikomo | May 7, 2016

Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly have tried once again to get answers from Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino regarding his campaign spending while serving in the House.

Proposal for per-mile tax on Illinois drivers creates challenges

By Vimbai Chikomo | Apr 29, 2016

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s proposal to tax Illinois drivers based on road usage may generate more revenue to maintain the state’s roads, but such a complex task may prove immensely difficult to implement and sustain.

Wolfer getting to know the voters in House District 96

By Vimbai Chikomo | Apr 3, 2016

Cindy Deadrick Wolfer, a Republican candidate for state House District 96, met with veterans after a Vietnam War veterans’ recognition event recently at the Decatur Civic Center.

Most of Springfield SD 186’s schools score below Sangamon County average despite above-average spending

By Vimbai Chikomo | Feb 18, 2016

The 2015 standardized test scores for most of Springfield SD 186’s elementary schools were below average despite the school district spending the most per student in Sangamon County, according to a report recently released by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

Sangamon Sun

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