Working on a dream: 3 Chicago women and the power of manufacturing
Working on a dream: 3 Chicago women and the power of manufacturing
Three women from Chicago’s West Side are beating the odds.
How zoning rules are helping Houston overtake Chicago as America’s 3rd-largest city
How zoning rules are helping Houston overtake Chicago as America’s 3rd-largest city
As Chicago’s population shrinks, Houston is set to overtake the Windy City as the third-largest city in America. Illinois’ slumping economy is a major reason for that, but the cities’ different zoning rules show how regulations can promote growth – or stifle it.
Illinois lags in easing entry regulations for professions
Illinois lags in easing entry regulations for professions
Nearly 25 percent of Illinois’ workforce requires government permission to work.
$2 million per year in tax breaks buys 2,000 new Amazon jobs for Illinois
$2 million per year in tax breaks buys 2,000 new Amazon jobs for Illinois
Amazon’s new Joliet, Ill., facilities will bring needed jobs to the state, but special tax deals are not the way to improve Illinois’ sluggish jobs climate.
Future of privacy: Lawsuit by Illinois residents focuses on Facebook facial-recognition technology
Future of privacy: Lawsuit by Illinois residents focuses on Facebook facial-recognition technology
The case against Facebook under Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act raises questions about the protection of people’s most personal data, as well as the possibility of an explosion of lawsuits against companies that use certain biotechnology.
Rahm’s power move on Airbnb ordinance shows who’s the boss in City Hall
Rahm’s power move on Airbnb ordinance shows who’s the boss in City Hall
Despite calls for more time, the mayor flexed his muscle to increase taxes on short-term Airbnb rentals to over 21 percent.
Illinois has highest unemployment rate in nation
Illinois has highest unemployment rate in nation
A new report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows Illinois gained 5,400 jobs in April, but the state’s unemployment rate ticked up to 6.6 percent, tied for highest in the U.S.
Illinois’ opioid crisis and the dark side of a broken workers’ compensation system
Illinois’ opioid crisis and the dark side of a broken workers’ compensation system
Illinois physicians can sell “repackaged” pills at exorbitant markups, averaging between 60 percent and 300 percent.
Illinois budget deal should include eliminating outdated corporate franchise tax
Illinois budget deal should include eliminating outdated corporate franchise tax
The franchise tax is complicated and confusing, and compliance wastes the time and economic resources of Illinois’ businesses.
CEO survey: Illinois the worst state in the Midwest for business
CEO survey: Illinois the worst state in the Midwest for business
On the other end of the spectrum, Indiana ranked as best in the Midwest and No. 5 in the U.S., with Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee taking the top four spots. All of these states attract swarms of people in migration from Illinois, especially Texas, Florida and Indiana.
Jane Johnson
Jane Johnson
“I grew up on the West Side of Chicago and was working in fast food. We’re talking 20 hours a week at $8.25 an hour, but I was always interested in computers. And a counselor at my transitional housing program recommended I try out a program that would give me some training in that field....
Preliminary jobs report: Illinois gained 5,400 jobs in April
Preliminary jobs report: Illinois gained 5,400 jobs in April
April’s numbers show fourth consecutive month of job gains in the state.
23 of Illinois’ 29 largest cities are shrinking, Chicago sees 2nd-biggest population decline in U.S.
23 of Illinois’ 29 largest cities are shrinking, Chicago sees 2nd-biggest population decline in U.S.
In the majority of Illinois’ large cities, the number of people moving to another part of the country is greater than the combined gains from more births than deaths and international immigration.
How Chicago’s affordable-housing mandates make housing less affordable
How Chicago’s affordable-housing mandates make housing less affordable
Affordable-housing mandates are sold to voters as a way to balance development with the need to build housing for the least well-off. In reality, these mandates add to the barriers that prevent developers from making housing more affordable and give rise to corruption in Chicago.