Court rules in favor of Madigan: Attorney general doesn’t have to defend state against wrongful workers’ compensation claims
Court rules in favor of Madigan: Attorney general doesn’t have to defend state against wrongful workers’ compensation claims
A Sangamon County judge’s ruling defending Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s failure to defend the state against wrongful workers’ compensation claims could cost the state.
By Mailee Smith
Licensing laws may create a nursing shortage, leaving sick, elderly and disabled without adequate care
Licensing laws may create a nursing shortage, leaving sick, elderly and disabled without adequate care
Illinois may soon face a nursing shortage due to a combination of demographics and regulatory barriers that prevent more nurses from practicing.
By Mark Adams
AFSCME demands more from taxpayers while Illinois’ middle class continues to suffer
AFSCME demands more from taxpayers while Illinois’ middle class continues to suffer
HB 580 would give a panel of unelected arbitrators power to approve an AFSCME contract that would cost taxpayers an additional $3 billion over the next four years.
By Michael Lucci
Curtis Hawkins
Curtis Hawkins
“I always wanted to drive a truck when I was younger. Now I’ve been in trucking for 17 years. Grew up in East Peoria. A couple years ago I finally saved up enough hauling that I started my own trucking authority. Last year we had two guys working for us. “On $98,000 of payroll we...
Illinois has zero private-sector jobs growth in the 21st century
Illinois has zero private-sector jobs growth in the 21st century
Illinois is one of four states in the entire U.S. to have fewer private sector jobs today compared to the turn of the century. The Land of Lincoln needs pro-growth reforms to allow the state’s private sector to rise again.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois employers announced fewer large layoffs in April
Illinois employers announced fewer large layoffs in April
April saw nearly half the large layoffs March brought, and showed few major layoffs in the manufacturing sector.
Caterpillar announces it will add 600 jobs to new Arizona facility
Caterpillar announces it will add 600 jobs to new Arizona facility
Caterpillar’s plans to bring new jobs to Arizona demonstrate how Illinois politicians’ planned tax hikes and failure to make needed regulatory reforms harm the state’s manufacturing sector.
By Hilary Gowins
4 statements reveal that Cullerton doesn’t understand Illinois’ workers’ compensation system
4 statements reveal that Cullerton doesn’t understand Illinois’ workers’ compensation system
Illinois has the most expensive system in the Midwest for workers' compensation.
By Michael Lucci
Jobs report: Illinois’ March jobs growth near top of rankings in Midwest
Jobs report: Illinois’ March jobs growth near top of rankings in Midwest
Illinois gained 14,700 payroll jobs on net in March, and compared relatively well with other states in the region for the month, trailing only Ohio in monthly jobs growth. Despite this growth, however, the unemployment rate increased to 6.5 percent. The state also lost 3,100 manufacturing jobs on net.
By Michael Lucci
The proof is in the GDP: Illinois needs to grow its tax base, not its tax rate
The proof is in the GDP: Illinois needs to grow its tax base, not its tax rate
Illinois’ economy lagged the national average between 2003 and 2014. Had Illinois’ gross domestic product grown at the same pace as the national average since 2003, Illinois workers would have generated an additional $64.6 billion in products and services in 2014.
By Craig Lesner
Unemployment 101: How to understand an Illinois jobs report
Unemployment 101: How to understand an Illinois jobs report
Monthly reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security allow the public to see Illinois’ record for job creation and unemployment. Understanding the components of the reports, what they measure, and the significance of the data are key to assessing the state’s economic health.
By Michael Lucci
Steve Solomon
Steve Solomon
“I’ve been a boilermaker for 40 years. I was 20 years old when I started and I’ve raised eight kids on this job. It feels like back then you could just walk down the street and get a job in manufacturing … “I was born and raised in Chicago but I left for Indiana 12...
Preliminary jobs report: Illinois gains 14,700 jobs in March
Preliminary jobs report: Illinois gains 14,700 jobs in March
Illinois gained 14,700 jobs on net in March, according to a preliminary jobs report released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, or IDES. March’s numbers mark three consecutive months of jobs growth in a state that had grown all too accustomed to job losses. More and more Illinoisans are looking for work – and...
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois employers report 900 layoffs, including continued losses in manufacturing
Illinois employers report 900 layoffs, including continued losses in manufacturing
Illinois’ March layoff report shows that almost a quarter of the 900 Illinoisans who will lose their jobs are manufacturing workers.