Chicago minimum wage rises to $12 per hour
Chicago minimum wage rises to $12 per hour
The city has seen a 45 percent increase in its minimum wage since 2015.
Prime working-age Illinoisans leading the state’s population decline
Prime working-age Illinoisans leading the state’s population decline
The current and future workforce is shrinking in Illinois, but growing across the U.S. Making the Prairie State more attractive for families seeking to work and invest is key to fixing this problem.
Illinois sees fourth straight month of jobs growth in May
Illinois sees fourth straight month of jobs growth in May
Illinois’ jobs situation improved in May, but the state needs long-term solutions such as a spending cap to get on a path to fiscal health and assure investors more tax hikes are not on the horizon.
Michigan becomes latest Illinois neighbor to repeal prevailing wage mandate
Michigan becomes latest Illinois neighbor to repeal prevailing wage mandate
Michigan nixed a law mandating inflated wages for public construction projects. The Prairie State should follow suit.
Belleville has seen sharpest population decline among top Illinois cities since 2010
Belleville has seen sharpest population decline among top Illinois cities since 2010
As Illinois struggles to address its people problem, population loss has plagued communities across the Land of Lincoln. But the shrinkage in some areas has been more severe than others.
Coca-Cola distributor relocating facility, 143 jobs to Iowa from Rock Island
Coca-Cola distributor relocating facility, 143 jobs to Iowa from Rock Island
Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Co. plans to move its Rock Island facility to Walcott, Iowa, where the company is expected to receive substantial tax incentives.
Bill amending prohibitive liquor licensing law goes to governor’s desk
Bill amending prohibitive liquor licensing law goes to governor’s desk
The measure would relax statewide restrictions on liquor licensure and encourage local control.
Jeff Doornbos
Jeff Doornbos
“Looking at it from a small business perspective we are just trying to serve the community like the other businesses in the city of Chicago. And at the same time, we’re trying to make sure that we’re abiding by all the rules and regulations put forth by the city. “We would love to see the...
Illinois lawmakers team up with rental car companies seeking to squeeze out competitors
Illinois lawmakers team up with rental car companies seeking to squeeze out competitors
Lawmakers in Springfield are joining forces with Hertz and Enterprise in efforts to punish companies offering innovative alternatives to conventional car rental options.
Amid heavy ticketing, challenge to Chicago food truck regulations heads to Illinois Supreme Court
Amid heavy ticketing, challenge to Chicago food truck regulations heads to Illinois Supreme Court
Chicago’s regulatory roadblocks have derailed opportunity for the city’s food truck entrepreneurs. As a challenge to those restrictions reaches Illinois’ high court, the outcome of the case could be felt statewide.
Illinois lawmakers pass bill legalizing industrial hemp
Illinois lawmakers pass bill legalizing industrial hemp
While state law currently allows for the cultivation of hemp to be overseen by some government bodies, the Industrial Hemp Act would make legal the commercial production of hemp.
Shrinking communities bode ill for Illinois’ economy
Shrinking communities bode ill for Illinois’ economy
More than three-quarters Illinois communities lost population over the year, and nearly all of the state’s major metro areas are lagging the nation on key economic indicators.
Illinois metro areas add 3,300 jobs in April
Illinois metro areas add 3,300 jobs in April
New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show eight of Illinois’ 13 metro areas gained jobs over the month.
Illinois’ southernmost counties see population losses in 2017
Illinois’ southernmost counties see population losses in 2017
As part of Illinois’ statewide population drop in 2017, southern Illinois counties saw a continuation of population losses they’ve been seeing for years.