Metropolis: Caught between history, fantasy and reality
Metropolis: Caught between history, fantasy and reality
D.C. Comics and the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce designated Metropolis, Illinois, as Superman’s hometown in 1972.
Rauner signs civil asset forfeiture reform into law
Rauner signs civil asset forfeiture reform into law
The new law will transfer the burden of proof to law enforcement in forfeiture proceedings.
Why international trade matters for Illinois
Why international trade matters for Illinois
Illinois will need more foreign investment, and major reforms to the state’s business climate, in order to get off the weak economic path it now treads.
DAILY LINKS / 9.19.2017
Peoria Journal-Star: Bruce Rauner to lawmakers: Help me balance the budget Chicago Tribune: Rauner boosting Amazon bids of both Chicago and St. Louis Chicago Sun-Times: Rauner, Rahm sending team to Amazon’s Seattle HQ — to look, not talk Chicago Tribune: For Chicago warehouse owners, Amazon effect is already big Chicago Sun-Times: New bond court rules take effect, but not much of an effect WTTW Chicago Tonight: New Law Requires Illinois to Track Food Deserts Daily Herald: Elgin looks at options for budget cuts, tax increases Peoria Journal-Star: East Peoria sales tax increase on City Council agenda Belleville News-Democrat: A Belleville sales tax was set to expire at the end of the year. Now it’s permanent.Rauner signs bill reinstating business tax credit program
Rauner signs bill reinstating business tax credit program
A controversial but politically popular tax credit program will be extended until June 2022 under a bill signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.
U.S. House votes to crack down on civil asset forfeiture
U.S. House votes to crack down on civil asset forfeiture
A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers, including members of the House Progressive and House Freedom caucuses, have put forth a measure to limit the use of federal dollars in certain civil asset forfeiture proceedings.
Lisa Madigan will not seek re-election, ending record-breaking tenure as Illinois attorney general
Lisa Madigan will not seek re-election, ending record-breaking tenure as Illinois attorney general
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will not seek to extend her record as the longest-serving attorney general in Illinois history. Her father has remained Springfield’s most powerful state legislative leader throughout her tenure.
Illinois universities’ problems are largely self-inflicted
Illinois universities’ problems are largely self-inflicted
Illinois universities are blaming the recent budget impasse for their declining enrollment and financial problems. But the problems in higher education started long before the budget fight, and are largely self-inflicted.
Illinois sees worst month for manufacturing jobs since 2009
Illinois sees worst month for manufacturing jobs since 2009
The state’s August jobs numbers were poor across the board, but especially sobering for manufacturing.
Judge allows lawsuit against Madigan to proceed
Judge allows lawsuit against Madigan to proceed
A federal judge has cleared the way for a lawsuit filed by a 2016 primary opponent of House Speaker Mike Madigan, which alleges discrimination by the speaker for filing “sham candidates.”
River Forest District 90 will pay 100 percent of teacher pension contributions
River Forest District 90 will pay 100 percent of teacher pension contributions
In the midst of Illinois’ pension crisis, River Forest District 90 has agreed to pay 100 percent of teacher contributions to the Teachers' Retirement System – and it did so secretly.
Illinois waits for Superman, does Amazon wear the cape?
Illinois waits for Superman, does Amazon wear the cape?
Amazon’s plans to hire 50,000 workers at the new headquarters would single-handedly shift the city and state’s economic landscape.
Kentucky governor pushes 401(k)s to help resolve Bluegrass pension crisis
Kentucky governor pushes 401(k)s to help resolve Bluegrass pension crisis
Despite the smaller relative size of its burden, Kentucky is considering making far more comprehensive changes to its public sector retirement systems than Illinois ever has.
Chicago tops list of cities residents are leaving
Chicago tops list of cities residents are leaving
A new report from moving company United Van Lines shows more residents left Chicago during the summer moving months than any other metro area.