Food trucks fight for the right to exist
City officials in Chicago and across the state are crushing a pillar of the culinary community. But food trucks are fighting back.
Moody’s issues another CPS credit downgrade
Another credit downgrade shows borrowing, taxes and bailouts can’t fix CPS’ financial crisis, but real structural reforms are needed.
Cook County board president proposes tax on sugary drinks
Implementing a taxpayer bill of rights could prevent Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle from increasing the county’s already-high tax burden.
DAILY LINKS / 9.28.2016
Washington Post: Why food trucks are ‘on the brink’ in Chicago Bond Buyer: Chicago's Pension Funds Need More Support SJR: IMA says workers' comp reform, broader sales tax base will help manufacturing jobs CBS Chicago: Chicago State University Faculty Union Wants Trustees To Resign Chicago Tribune: Judge blocks Election Day registration at Illinois polling placesMadigan’s media “watchdogs”
Chicago Teachers Union authorizes strike
Many educators are wary of a strike’s hardships and long-term consequences for students, their families and the educators themselves. These teachers can remove themselves from CTU authority and the conflict between union priorities and students’ needs.
Teachers who oppose CTU strike can opt out of union
Resigning from the union before the potential upcoming strike can protect teachers from union discipline.
Why Illinoisans leave for Indiana: Elkhart, Ind., has 20,000 more jobs than workers
Policy reforms in Indiana have led to significant jobs growth, but lawmakers in the Land of Lincoln haven’t taken note.
Rich Miller on Madigan documentary
Which Illinois county is most likely to lock you up?
Research shows Hardin, Macon and Marion Counties lead the state in prison admissions per 10,000 residents.
Amid political darkness, a bright spot in criminal justice reform
Pete Leonard has employed 35 ex-offenders since 2009 at Second Chance Coffee Company in Wheaton.
Injured Illinois workers take 50 percent more time off than peers in surrounding states
Illinois law gives financial incentives to many injured workers to stay off the job and to doctors to prescribe more medications to workers’ compensation patients.
August jobs report: Worst manufacturing month since Great Recession, unemployment falls due to workforce dropout
The August BLS jobs report shows Illinois is down 8,000 manufacturing jobs on the year, giving the state the worst manufacturing job losses in the region, and a summer workforce contraction totaling 100,000 people.
Illinois counties, cities should have the right to dissolve townships
Some steps have been taken to dissolve unnecessary units of governments, but taxpayers need an easier path to eliminate wasteful governmental bodies.