Dana Sanzeri
Dana Sanzeri
“I was paying $6,000 in property taxes on this house I bought for $52,500. Now it’s $6,000 on a hole in the ground. ”I have friends having kids and I always ask ‘How can you afford it?’ I can barely afford a dog and myself. I have friends in Michigan who are managers at Applebee’s,...
Joel and Michelle Schurtz
Joel and Michelle Schurtz
“We’ve lived in five states, but we’ve never had to leave because we couldn’t put down roots there. “Illinois is different. It’s like we have to work as hard as two couples to have the same lifestyle. The taxes are so high, and our schools are good but no better than where we’ve lived before. ...
Jobs and income growing much faster in Right-to-Work states
Jobs and income growing much faster in Right-to-Work states
Government data show freedom from forced unionization means better outcomes for workers.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois lost 1 resident every 7 minutes in 2013
Illinois lost 1 resident every 7 minutes in 2013
Newly released IRS data show Illinois lost on net over 81,000 taxpayers and their dependents, and $4.1 billion of annual taxable income to other states in 2013.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois falling backward: 2,200 workers saw mass layoffs in September
Illinois falling backward: 2,200 workers saw mass layoffs in September
Manufacturing workers continue to receive pink slips in Illinois.
By Austin Berg
Food-truck bust in the Loop sets disturbing precedent for Chicago chefs
Food-truck bust in the Loop sets disturbing precedent for Chicago chefs
Food-truck owners ticketed for operating on business streets worry that Chicago may be attempting to shut them down.
By Hilary Gowins
ConAgra move to Chicago is bittersweet for Illinoisans
ConAgra move to Chicago is bittersweet for Illinoisans
Downtown appeal and state-issued tax credits mask a discouraging jobs climate statewide.
By Austin Berg
Mark Selvaggio
Mark Selvaggio
“We’re responsible for over 23 families here at Selvaggio Steel. And they count on my brother and I walking into work and being able to make a profit on the work that we do so that they also have opportunities to have jobs.” Mark Selvaggio Selvaggio Steel
Weak U.S. jobs report: Lackluster job creation, workforce contracts in September
Weak U.S. jobs report: Lackluster job creation, workforce contracts in September
Newly released data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows weak jobs gains and a shrinking U.S. workforce in September.
By Michael Lucci
Food-stamp enrollment still outpaces job creation in Illinois
Food-stamp enrollment still outpaces job creation in Illinois
Illinois’ dismal business climate continues to inhibit jobs growth, especially in manufacturing, as the state put 25 people on food stamps for every factory job created during the recovery from the Great Recession.
By Michael Lucci
Food-cart ordinance creates new opportunities for restaurants and entrepreneurs
Food-cart ordinance creates new opportunities for restaurants and entrepreneurs
Now that Chicago has lifted its ban on food carts, Chicago’s food entrepreneurs can openly provide food to consumers – and established restaurateurs gain an opportunity to sell their products in new markets.
By Michael Lucci
Caterpillar to cut 10,000 jobs, close and consolidate facilities
Caterpillar to cut 10,000 jobs, close and consolidate facilities
Caterpillar plans to cut 10,000 jobs and close 20 manufacturing facilities to save $1.5 billion annually.
By Amy Korte