Want to fix Illinois’ economic development agency? Put it out to pasture
Want to fix Illinois’ economic development agency? Put it out to pasture
For more than a decade, Illinois has been giving select businesses many millions of dollars more in tax credits than the law allows.
By Hilary Gowins
Legislative Agenda for Entrepreneurs: An update on Illinois’ comeback story
Legislative Agenda for Entrepreneurs: An update on Illinois’ comeback story
The bipartisan path toward putting entrepreneurs first.
By Michael Lucci
Why Illinois needs a turnaround in 12 graphics
Why Illinois needs a turnaround in 12 graphics
The failures of Springfield are many, the state and local crises are real, and the time for action is now.
By Michael Lucci
March jobs report: Illinois workforce shrinks, manufacturing continues bleeding
March jobs report: Illinois workforce shrinks, manufacturing continues bleeding
Illinois’ manufacturing payrolls have declined in 21 of the last 30 months.
By Michael Lucci
Border battle: Worker freedom spreads across another Illinois neighbor
Border battle: Worker freedom spreads across another Illinois neighbor
The local revolution that began in Kentucky can spread to Illinois.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois House passes nation’s most competitive crowdfunding rules
Illinois House passes nation’s most competitive crowdfunding rules
Illinois is poised to lead the crowdfunding revolution.
By Michael Lucci
Sunday service: Legalizing competition in Illinois’ auto industry
Sunday service: Legalizing competition in Illinois’ auto industry
The backward ban on Sunday car sales should be scrapped.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois unemployment problems hidden by workforce dropout
Illinois unemployment problems hidden by workforce dropout
Over the recession era, Indiana’s workforce grew by 53,000 people while Illinois’ workforce shrank by 200,000 people. If Illinois’ workforce size were benchmarked to Indiana’s over the recession era, Illinois’ unemployment rate would be 10.3 percent today.
By Michael Lucci
How occupational licensing blocks path to success for ex-offenders
How occupational licensing blocks path to success for ex-offenders
Nearly 2 in 5 workers in the U.S. need government permission just to do their jobs.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Blue steel: Illinois’ manufacturing exodus continues
Blue steel: Illinois’ manufacturing exodus continues
Workers’ compensation costs are killing Illinois steel.
By Austin Berg
Repealing Illinois’ economic loss leaders
Repealing Illinois’ economic loss leaders
State lawmakers from both parties are advancing legislation to repeal three of Illinois’ most costly and misguided policies.
By Michael Lucci
More manufacturing losses highlight Illinois’ mixed February jobs report
More manufacturing losses highlight Illinois’ mixed February jobs report
Illinois still ranks last in the country for putting people back to work over the Great Recession era.
By Michael Lucci
State and local policy solutions can help Granite City keep Steel in town
State and local policy solutions can help Granite City keep Steel in town
Illinois municipalities that are tired of seeing their manufacturing base hollowed out can take action to end the exodus.
By Michael Lucci
Manufacturing employment in Illinois has stagnated and even shrunk while Indiana and Michigan have boomed
Manufacturing employment in Illinois has stagnated and even shrunk while Indiana and Michigan have boomed
Manufacturing employment in Illinois has stagnated and even shrunk while Indiana and Michigan – neighboring Right-to-Work states – have boomed.
By Michael Lucci