Illinois has over-relied on local property taxes to fund K-12 education, effectively tying educational quality to local property wealth that is markedly lower in segregated Black communities. The Supreme Court ruled that universities can’t use affirmative action to level the educational playing field, so it’s up to state government to do so, Ralph Martire writes.

If consumer services such as landscaping were subject to Illinois' sales tax, it could generate billions for the state and allow legislators to reduce tax rates overall. CTBA Executive Director and Roosevelt University Rubloff Professor of Public Policy, Ralph Martire comments on a recent three-year budget forecast issued by the state legislature's Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability that reports the state could expand its tax base by applying a sales tax to service-based businesses.

Though legislatures’ budgets are still up in the air, patterns are emerging around college funding. In an interview with Higher Ed Dive, Ralph Martire said, the share of revenue at public institutions that comes from state appropriations has fallen about 11 percentage points, from 68% to 57%. The governor “has proposed bumping it up by $100 million, and that’s great,” said Martire. “But that’s not going to come anywhere near making up for its loss of value,” he said.

Chicago’s fiscal challenges can’t be solved with smoke and mirrors. During his mayoral campaign, Brandon Johnson differentiated himself from Paul Vallas in meaningful ways. On everything from public safety to public education, Johnson offered a progressive vision, while Vallas advanced a more conservative perspective. Another key difference between the two involved fiscal policy. CTBA Executive Director and Roosevelt University Rubloff Professor of Public Policy, Ralph Martire breaks down some of the challenges facing Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson.