Illinoisans have nation’s lowest confidence in state economy
Illinoisans have nation’s lowest confidence in state economy
The need for foundational change couldn’t be more evident in the Land of Lincoln.
42% of Illinoisans would like to move to another state, Gallup poll shows
42% of Illinoisans would like to move to another state, Gallup poll shows
A recent Gallup poll found residents in states with higher tax burdens are more likely to want to move. Illinoisans are the third-most-likely to say they would prefer to move permanently to another state.
Illinoisans see 2nd-worst income growth in the nation since recession
Illinoisans see 2nd-worst income growth in the nation since recession
While Illinoisans’ incomes have flatlined since the recession, state tax revenue has grown by more than that in almost every state in the nation.
Caterpillar CEO’s warnings 4 years later: Illinois on downward slide as predicted
Caterpillar CEO’s warnings 4 years later: Illinois on downward slide as predicted
Illinois politicians ignored Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman’s 2012 plea for pro-growth reforms, and Illinois is the only state in the region to have lost manufacturing jobs on net over the last four years.
Brian Burkhart
Brian Burkhart
“I’m really proud of this business, but everyone [in Chicago] is looking for a way out. Most startups can do their work effectively almost anywhere. “We’re not rich by any stretch of the imagination. And Chicago just makes it hard for us to grow because we’re spending [money] on stupid stuff. All it means to...
Illinois employers warn of nearly 1,400 layoffs in coming months
Illinois employers warn of nearly 1,400 layoffs in coming months
Employers in Illinois filed notice with the state in January of hundreds of layoffs.
Illinois’ incredible, shrinking business establishments
Illinois’ incredible, shrinking business establishments
From the first quarter of 2001 until the second quarter of 2015, business establishment growth has been 34 percent while jobs growth has been only 1 percent.
Daniel McClure
Daniel McClure
“I’m 96 years old. Would you believe it? “This will tell you how old I am: I was one of the first black machinists in Chicago … I mopped floors at a canning company, and the owner’s son was a really nice guy. He taught me how to use a drill press in secret. No...
Why Indiana’s population grows faster than Illinois’
Why Indiana’s population grows faster than Illinois’
Illinois’ weak jobs growth is driving more residents to other states on net than Illinois gains from other states, from natural growth in births or from international immigration.
Illinois manufacturing workers earn less money, see less growth than Indiana peers
Illinois manufacturing workers earn less money, see less growth than Indiana peers
Federal data show how Illinois workers suffer under their state’s anti-manufacturing status quo.
CAT layoffs continue as manufacturing work in Peoria area closes in on all-time low
CAT layoffs continue as manufacturing work in Peoria area closes in on all-time low
Caterpillar Inc.’s announcement of 670 layoffs comes amid the loss of a quarter of the manufacturing jobs in Peoria and Tazewell counties since 2008.
Low-income entrepreneurs suffer most when government makes it harder to start a business
Low-income entrepreneurs suffer most when government makes it harder to start a business
Chicago’s many bureaucratic barriers to starting a business shield established businesses from competition and keep low-income entrepreneurs from getting ahead.
Caterpillar Inc. closing 5 plants, cutting 670 jobs
Caterpillar Inc. closing 5 plants, cutting 670 jobs
The East Peoria, Ill., plant will be the hardest hit, losing 230 jobs for office and production workers. As neighboring states grow factory work, Illinois is approaching an all-time low for manufacturing jobs.
Pennsylvania close to passing Illinois as 5th-largest state in U.S. for jobs and population
Pennsylvania close to passing Illinois as 5th-largest state in U.S. for jobs and population
Unlike Illinois, Pennsylvania has actually recovered the number of jobs it lost during the Great Recession, and now has 40,000 more jobs than it had at its pre-recession peak. Illinois, on the other hand, still has 90,000 fewer jobs than it had before the recession, the worst jobs recovery in the U.S.