Illinois strikes out on Amazon HQ2

By Brad Weisenstein

11/15/2018

Amazon picked two of the 20 remaining cities to split its $5 billion, 50,000-job HQ2, with a third city receiving 5,000 jobs. Illinois struck out on all three.

TAGS: Amazon, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, jobs, tax credits

Senate bill would strike car-sharing startups with new taxes, regulations

By Vincent Caruso

11/14/2018

With lobbyist backing, lawmakers passed a bill in May aimed at driving out competitors for rental car companies. Gov. Bruce Rauner rejected the bill, but lawmakers could revive it during veto session.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Getaround, Pam Althoff, regulations, Turo

Illinois’ private sector jobs growth among worst in the nation since 2017 tax hike

By Bryce Hill, Chena Underhill

11/02/2018

Jobs growth in Illinois has gone from middle of the pack to back of the line.

TAGS: income tax, jobs, taxes, unemployment

Illinois metro areas gain 800 jobs in September

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

10/26/2018

While a majority of Illinois’ metro areas experienced expanding payrolls in September, metro areas only gained 800 jobs on net.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Illinois added 2,800 jobs in September, still lags nation

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

10/19/2018

Since December 2017, the rest of the U.S. has expanded payrolls 80 percent faster than Illinois.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Sears files for bankruptcy despite decades of Illinois tax breaks

By Janelle Cammenga

10/16/2018

Sears, a long-time beneficiary of Illinois tax credit programs, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

TAGS: bankruptcy, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, pensions, Sears, Sears Centre, tax credits

Manufacturer to shutter 2 Illinois plants, open $26M Indiana facility

By Vincent Caruso

09/19/2018

Accepting a deal that includes $6 million in subsidies, Wynright Corporation will expand its operations in Indiana and close plants in suburban Elk Grove and Oak Lawn.

TAGS: Indiana, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, jobs, manufacturing, outmigration, unemployment

Illinois’ income growth second-worst in the nation

By Vincent Caruso

09/14/2018

Amid two record-breaking income tax hikes, growing property tax bills and population decline, the Land of Lincoln’s income growth is trailing the rest of the nation.

TAGS: income, income tax, personal income, pew research, Spending, spending cap, taxes

One of Illinois’ top tax credit recipients to shutter 1,000-employee HQ

By Austin Berg

09/11/2018

Illinois issued more than $60 million in EDGE tax credits to Takeda Pharmaceuticals from 2003 to 2013, more than any other company received over that time.

TAGS: EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, jobs, tax credits, unemployment

Chicago-based MillerCoors shedding 350 jobs, despite $5.7M TIF subsidy

By Vincent Caruso

09/06/2018

MillerCoors opened its Chicago headquarters in 2010. Eight years and nearly $6 million in subsidies later, the beer giant has been hammered by a heavy round of layoffs.

TAGS: Chicago, jobs, property taxes, taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing, unemployment