Jobs + Growth

Minimum Wage Hurts More Than It Helps

Minimum Wage Hurts More Than It Helps

Illinois continues to impose a high minimum wage rate, putting itself at another disadvantage and giving businesses and entrepreneurs one more reason to leave Illinois and set up shop elsewhere.

“The Stimulus Has Failed”

“The Stimulus Has Failed”

Left-leaning economist Jeffrey Sachs tells MSNBC that the simulus was all for naught.

Regulatory Roadblocks: Clearing the Path for Illinois Entrepreneurs

Regulatory Roadblocks: Clearing the Path for Illinois Entrepreneurs

The Problem Want to be a hair braider? Get a license. Already a pizza restaurateur? Raise your prices. Starting a business? First prove to the state there is a “need” for your product. Like flowers? Don’t even think about trying to sell them on the street—it’s not allowed. And, don’t dare try to start a...

By Kate Campaigne Piercy

Private Sector Salaries Shrinking

Private Sector Salaries Shrinking

by Kate Piercy According to a USA TODAY analysis of government data, “paychecks from private business shrank to their smallest share of personal income in U.S. history during the first quarter of this year.” On the other hand, government-provided benefits, including Social Security and unemployment insurance, for example, rose to record high levels during the first three...

Minimum Wage Laws Hurt the Young & Low-Skilled

Minimum Wage Laws Hurt the Young & Low-Skilled

Gov. Quinn should rethink his minimum wage position. Advocating for a higher minimum wage is a short-term political gimmick that does long-term detrimental harm to the people it pretends to help.

Tax Credits For New Jobs

Tax Credits For New Jobs

Is tax credits for new jobs good policy? Do credits work? Are there better options?

Kristina Rasmussen’s Testimony on Hair Braider Licensing

Kristina Rasmussen’s Testimony on Hair Braider Licensing

On March 3, Kristina Rasmussen testified before the Illinois House of Representatives Health Care Licenses Committee about hair braider licensing. She says the current licensing regulations are onerous and stand in the way job-creating entrepreneurs.