Illinois companies announce 464 mass layoffs, mostly in Cook County
Illinois companies announce 464 mass layoffs, mostly in Cook County
Latest WARN report sees almost all mass layoff announcements come from Cook County.
Kentucky legislature votes to become nation’s 27th Right-to-Work state
Kentucky legislature votes to become nation’s 27th Right-to-Work state
Both chambers of Kentucky’s legislature have passed, and Gov. Matt Bevin has promised to sign, legislation bringing worker freedom to Kentucky – and further weakening Illinois’ regional economic competitiveness.
Illinois politicians should resist the urge to resuscitate failed EDGE tax credit program
Illinois politicians should resist the urge to resuscitate failed EDGE tax credit program
Illinois’ $1.3 billion in EDGE tax credits has brought in only 34,000 jobs since 2001, and has enabled politicians to hand out tax relief to select companies rather than lowering anti-growth taxes for all businesses.
Caterpillar considers moving 800 production jobs out of Aurora
Caterpillar considers moving 800 production jobs out of Aurora
Peoria-based heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has announced a possible move of up to 800 manufacturing jobs out of Aurora.
Illinois lost 150,000 university students from 2000-2014
Illinois lost 150,000 university students from 2000-2014
Misplaced priorities in education funding have driven students out of the state and skyrocketed tuition costs.
Moving out: Illinois has country’s worst outbound rate in 2016
Moving out: Illinois has country’s worst outbound rate in 2016
Data from moving companies reflect continued mass exodus from Illinois.
Our regrettable shrinking state
Our regrettable shrinking state
The U.S. Census Bureau released new migration data Dec. 20, and it’s frightening. Illinois has a massive people problem. From July 2015 to July 2016, the state’s population declined by more than 37,000 people. That’s the worst population loss in the nation, and will likely mean the loss of a seat in the U.S. House...
Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016
Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016
It’s no secret Chicago aldermen aren’t friendly to outsider businesses and innovative industries. Here’s a look at some of the most egregious examples from 2016.
Dave Mansfield
Dave Mansfield
“I’m gonna cry, guys. Never thought this day would come. You know, 27 or 28 years I’ve been here and it’s time to move on. My eyes opened up to what was happening. And I realized, do I really want to invest that kind of money in a home in Chicago and the state of...
2 million Illinoisans struggle to put food on their tables
2 million Illinoisans struggle to put food on their tables
Recent data from the Illinois Department of Human Services show nearly 2 million Illinois residents need government assistance to put food on the table this holiday season, as the state continues to hemorrhage manufacturing jobs and other blue-collar opportunities. Each year’s end is a time for reflection.
Marty Bee
Marty Bee
“When my father passed away I was 7 and it was just me and my mom. My mom had a third-grade education. But we never knew we were poor. The family was good, the community was good. If it hadn’t have been for Mr. Lang’s store … I would have never had a Christmas tree....
Amazon adds 1,000 subsidized jobs to Aurora
Amazon adds 1,000 subsidized jobs to Aurora
After receiving incentives and abatements guaranteed by state and local taxpayer dollars, Amazon announces two new facilities in Aurora.
Illinois’ corporate handout program halted temporarily
Illinois’ corporate handout program halted temporarily
The expiration of the state’s EDGE program – which has given large companies more than $1 billion in tax credits the last 15 years – is good news for taxpayers and should encourage lawmakers to pass real reforms.
Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population
Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population
Illinois has record loss of 114,000 residents to other states in 2016 as population shrinks by 37,500.