Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population
Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population
Illinois has record loss of 114,000 residents to other states in 2016 as population shrinks by 37,500.
By Michael Lucci
Chicago Airbnb hosts made $73 million in 2016, despite roadblocks by Chicago City Council, hotel lobby
Chicago Airbnb hosts made $73 million in 2016, despite roadblocks by Chicago City Council, hotel lobby
The Chicago market has grown to the third largest in the country, accounting for almost all of the more than $73 million in supplemental income in 2016.
By Brendan Bakala
IDOT plans to build a new toll lane on the Eisenhower Expressway
IDOT plans to build a new toll lane on the Eisenhower Expressway
Illinois Tollway fees were pitched to taxpayers as temporary, but have become a permanent cost for drivers.
By Brendan Bakala
O’Hare, Midway parking fees to increase in 2017
O’Hare, Midway parking fees to increase in 2017
Though Chicago already has the highest sales tax in the nation as well as massive property taxes, the Chicago City Council passed new hikes on parking fees in Midway and O’Hare airports.
Illinois November jobs report: 1,700 jobs gained overall, white-collar jobs up, blue-collar jobs down
Illinois November jobs report: 1,700 jobs gained overall, white-collar jobs up, blue-collar jobs down
The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s newly released jobs report shows Illinois’ 1,700 jobs gained in November were concentrated in white-collar service sectors, and that blue-collar fields, such as manufacturing, lost jobs.
By Michael Lucci
Broken workers’ compensation system costs Illinois taxpayers millions
Broken workers’ compensation system costs Illinois taxpayers millions
Illinois’ uncompetitive workers’ compensation system doesn’t just hurt private sector businesses – it is also costing taxpayers more than $400 million per year.
By Eric Kohn
Caterpillar announces more layoffs
Caterpillar announces more layoffs
CAT announces more layoffs due to anticipated losses in 2017.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois has highest black unemployment rate in the country
Illinois has highest black unemployment rate in the country
Illinois has had the nation’s highest black unemployment rate for 15 months in a row.
By Michael Lucci
Chicago area sees slow jobs growth, downstate suffers continued job losses
Chicago area sees slow jobs growth, downstate suffers continued job losses
Metropolitan jobs data shows that from October 2015 – October 2016 the greater Chicago area is up +33,500 jobs while the rest of the state is down -2,700 jobs. Measured since before the Great Recession, from October 2007 – October 2016, the greater Chicago area is up 110,100 jobs while the rest of the state is down -42,700 jobs.
By Michael Lucci
LA Tan settles case under Illinois privacy law for $1.5M
LA Tan settles case under Illinois privacy law for $1.5M
L.A. Tan has settled a class action lawsuit in which plaintiffs alleged the company stored customers’ fingerprint data in violation of Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, or BIPA. Whether this settlement opens the gates to a flood of BIPA litigation remains to be seen.
By Amy Korte
Why all Illinoisans need action on workers’ comp
Why all Illinoisans need action on workers’ comp
The cost of workers’ compensation for municipalities, counties and state government in Illinois is more than $400 million per year.
By Austin Berg
Illinois companies announce 650 mass layoffs in November
Illinois companies announce 650 mass layoffs in November
Employers in the Land of Lincoln announced 650 mass layoffs in November, according to the November edition of the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, report. This report marks the first time since July 2015 that there wasn’t single mass-layoff announcement in the manufacturing sector. The types of jobs lost were spread across...
By Brendan Bakala
After court ruling, Chicago food trucks must fight on against protectionist city rules
After court ruling, Chicago food trucks must fight on against protectionist city rules
In her Dec. 5 ruling, a Cook County Circuit Court judge said Chicago’s oppressive food truck regulations serve legitimate city interests. But evidence shows the only interests the rules protect are those of politically connected restaurant owners and politicians.
Judge upholds onerous Chicago food truck rules
Judge upholds onerous Chicago food truck rules
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Anna Helen Demacopoulos squelched a ray of hope for Chicago food trucks Dec. 5 as the court upheld two of the city’s most oppressive regulations. In recent weeks, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been coming after these small-business owners. But they’ve faced the city’s wrath for years, even after City Council...
By Hilary Gowins