4 manufacturers announce plans to shut down or move out of Illinois
4 manufacturers announce plans to shut down or move out of Illinois
Continued jobs losses in manufacturing underscore the need to reform the state’s onerous tax and regulatory policies.
By Michael Lucci
Vonco Products LLC to move to Wisconsin from Illinois
Vonco Products LLC to move to Wisconsin from Illinois
Vonco is the second major packaging manufacturer to leave Illinois in less than two weeks.
By Brendan Bakala
Tobacco maker plans to leave Illinois
Tobacco maker plans to leave Illinois
Altria announces plant closures in Illinois and Pennsylvania.
By Brendan Bakala
Google Fiber pauses Chicago operations
Google Fiber pauses Chicago operations
Tech giant suspends plans to bring fiber optics to Windy City in favor of a wireless approach.
By Brendan Bakala
Food-stamp enrollment outpaces population growth in Illinois
Food-stamp enrollment outpaces population growth in Illinois
Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has increased more than six times the rate population has grown over the last five years.
Illinois has fastest shrinking labor force of all surrounding states
Illinois has fastest shrinking labor force of all surrounding states
New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show Illinois’ professional and business services sector has fared better than the state’s manufacturing industry, which recorded 800 job losses in September.
By Michael Lucci
Executive order equips Illinoisans to take on red tape
Executive order equips Illinoisans to take on red tape
Gov. Bruce Rauner has ordered executive agencies to review all their regulations for necessity, clarity and statutory authority and to mark for repeal or revision rules that don’t meet those criteria.
By Madelyn Harwood
Colbert Packaging moves division to Wisconsin from Illinois
Colbert Packaging moves division to Wisconsin from Illinois
Division president cites Wisconsin’s favorable business environment as chief reason for move.
By Brendan Bakala
Chicago to propose restrictive licensing for pharmaceutical reps
Chicago to propose restrictive licensing for pharmaceutical reps
A proposal to license pharmaceutical reps amounts to costly fees and red tape that will do little to promote public health and safety.
By Madelyn Harwood
Illinois: Plenty of pumpkins, not enough people
Illinois: Plenty of pumpkins, not enough people
Illinois ranks as the top pumpkin producer in the country, which isn’t much of a consolation given the state’s poor performance in almost every economic category.
How Madigan left the Cubs in the dark
How Madigan left the Cubs in the dark
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s grip on the state’s legislative process once delayed the Cubs’ quest for lights at Wrigley Field – and 30 years later, the Cubs are still feuding with politicians.
September jobs report: Manufacturing jobs down, white-collar jobs up; workforce dropout continues overall
September jobs report: Manufacturing jobs down, white-collar jobs up; workforce dropout continues overall
The divergence between professional and blue-collar work continued in September, and a shrinking workforce coincided with steady seasonal out-migration.
By Michael Lucci
U-Haul rental rates reflect Illinois’ out-migration crisis
U-Haul rental rates reflect Illinois’ out-migration crisis
Chicagoans’ strong demand for one-way moves to Houston, Texas, and to Naples, Fla., is driving up moving-truck rental costs.
By Madelyn Harwood
Alex Schmidt
Alex Schmidt
“I lived in Illinois my entire life until April of this year. My wife and I moved to Cypress, Texas, outside of Houston. I’m back in Chicago for a conference. I was paying $12,000 a year in property taxes in Highland Park. As soon as I had to get a property tax attorney a light bulb...