Income tax hike dropped Illinois’ economic freedom rank, ‘fair tax’ would drop it more

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

11/15/2019

The largest permanent income tax hike in Illinois history was followed by a slide to 34th least-free state in the union, behind nearly every neighboring state.

TAGS: economic freedom, fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, pension guarantee, pension spiking, pensions, progressive income tax, taxes

Illinois unemployment rate hits low despite tepid jobs growth

By illinoispolicy

10/28/2019

Illinois’ unemployment rate hit 3.9% in September – the first time in decades that the jobless rate went under 4%, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

TAGS: employment, jobs, unemployment

Kentucky billboards advertise Illinois’ woes to lure businesses

By Brad Weisenstein

10/25/2019

Kentucky’s economic developers are using billboards along Interstate 57 to bring businesses south by highlighting Illinois’ poor finances, high taxes and unwelcoming business climate.

TAGS: fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, Kentucky, outmigration, progressive income tax, property taxes, small business, taxes

Illinois’ housing recovery still trails rest of nation

By Orphe Divounguy

10/22/2019

High property tax bills suppress Illinois housing demand, slowing average growth in home values when compared to the rest of the nation.

TAGS: home values, JB Pritzker, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Illinois is more dependent on food stamps than any other neighboring state

By Tivas Gupta

08/23/2019

Illinois has a higher percentage of its residents on food stamps than its neighboring states, and has seen a much slower decline in food stamp recipients following the recession.

TAGS: employment, food stamps, jobs, SNAP, unemployment, welfare

Illinois city aims to oust little girl’s lemonade stand

By Austin Berg

08/09/2019

llinois has a reputation for making business harder than it needs to be for entrepreneurs across the state.

TAGS: Hayli Martenez, health codes, lemonade stand

Illinois’ rich millennials are moving to other states

By Tivas Gupta

06/23/2019

Youthful wealth, energy and talent that could help Illinois recover is leaving the state at the nation’s second-highest rate. State leaders’ thirst for new taxes will make the problem worse.

TAGS: fair tax, income tax, jobs, millennials, outmigration, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes

Chicago rolls out e-scooter pilot program

By Joe Barnas

06/21/2019

Thousands of electric scooters have arrived in Chicago as part of a four-month pilot program.

TAGS: Chicago, e-scooters, scooters, transportation

Illinois Supreme Court upholds controversial Chicago food truck restrictions

By Joe Barnas

05/29/2019

The Illinois Supreme Court sided with the city of Chicago following a yearslong court battle over some of the nation’s toughest food truck restrictions.

TAGS: Chicago, food trucks, Illinois Supreme Court, regulations

Land of 1,000 shrinking communities

By Bryce Hill

05/24/2019

Illinois’ lost people problem spreads to more than 1,000 communities in 2018

TAGS: fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, outmigration, population, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau