Switching to an electronic system from a paper-based licensing program is expected to save taxpayers millions of dollars over the next few years – as well as provide better and faster service for the state’s licensed professionals.
Since the state's recession bottom, Illinois has regained less than 5 percent of its manufacturing jobs — the worst rate of recovery among all neighboring states.
Millionaires are playing a large role in the broader Chicago exodus.
For nearly six years, Illinois was the only Midwestern state where growth in food stamps was outpacing jobs growth.
The unintended consequences of a Chicago credit-check ordinance have harmed young and black workers, and show why lawmakers should focus on repealing the laws preventing employment for Illinoisans, rather than creating new ones.
Census data are sounding a warning signal that Chicago and Illinois policy leaders don’t necessarily want to hear.
Chicago aldermen, some of whom receive financial support from the taxicab industry, are looking to burden Uber and Lyft drivers with expensive chauffer’s licenses.
Illinois has finally recovered from the job losses suffered during the Great Recession, and its workforce continues to grow. But the state’s unemployment rate is also increasing, signaling that while the economy is recovering, it is still unable to meet the demands of a growing number of job seekers.
“Chicago has a curse on it. “I’ve been praying to God: Please get me and my children out of this city. And you know what? A lot of folks at our church have moved to Indiana. A lot of them have moved to Texas, too … “It’s just a vicious cycle here. “You hear so...
By reducing the licensing requirements that make it harder for people to enter many professions, Illinois could give more people access to jobs, bring down the cost of goods and services through increased competition, and attract more workers to the state.
While new state numbers painted a rosier picture of 2015, Illinoisans are still struggling in a poor economic climate.
Illinois’ manufacturing meltdown and weak jobs growth are pummeling workers.
“Indiana’s just a great place to be for manufacturing. You don’t see a lot of [manufacturers] going in the other direction. You don’t see a lot of manufacturing companies leaving Indiana to go to Illinois or any other state … “[Illinois has] done so much to discourage manufacturing. You have a business climate that’s poisonous...
City zoning policies serve to keep many neighborhoods segregated. These rules also keep lower-income residents of all races out of popular areas, allowing city officials to shape who can live where and making housing more expensive.