{"product_id":"fixing-illinois-1","title":"Fixing Illinois","description":"In the 1950s, thriving commerce, strong leadership, and geographical good fortune made Illinois one of the most envied states in the nation. Today, persistent problems have left it the butt of jokes and threatened it with fiscal catastrophe. In \u003ci\u003eFixing Illinois\u003c\/i\u003e, James D. Nowlan and J. Thomas Johnson use their four decades of experience as public servants, Springfield veterans, and government observers to present a comprehensive program of almost one hundred specific policy ideas aimed at rescuing the state from its long list of problems, including: \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn overhaul of state pension systems that includes more reasonable benefits and raising of the retirement age, among other changes;\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eBroadening of the tax base to include services and reductions in rates;\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eRaising funds with capital construction bonds to update and integrate the antiquated information systems used by state agencies;\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eUprooting the state's entrenched culture of corruption via public financing of elections, redistricting reform, and revolving door prohibitions for lawmakers\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePointed, honest, and pragmatic, \u003ci\u003eFixing Illinois\u003c\/i\u003e is a plan for effective and honest government that seeks an even nobler end: restoring our faith in Illinois's institutions and reviving a sense of citizenship and state pride.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"James D. Nowlan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43573178728630,"sku":"9780252096358","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0251\/4980\/0541\/files\/9780252096358_2c70712a-2932-465f-917a-e8fc096056b5.jpg?v=1726056223","url":"https:\/\/combined-academic.myshopify.com\/products\/fixing-illinois-1","provider":"Combined Academic Publishers - Mare Nostrum Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}