The fact that EDGE Tax Credits and other sweetheart business deals exist serves as an admission by Springfield’s anti-business ruling class that, at some level, they understand it is business that creates jobs, spurs employment and grows the economy – unlike their preferred methods of redistribution and welfare.

They have staunchly denied their understanding of that truth, however, opting to slip tax carve-outs to select businesses through EDGE Credits, instead of advocating for the tax, budget and spending reforms being implemented by our neighbors in Indiana and Wisconsin. Such reforms could have made Illinois’ economy a driving force in the Midwest.

Robert Steere, senior budget advisor at the Illinois Policy Institute, reported recently that Illinois has given companies more than $830 billion in EDGE Credits since 1999. One of those companies was Sears Holdings, which recently announced more closings in Illinois despite their sweetheart deal.

Governor Pat Quinn (D-Illinois), who recently signed the legislation, says the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program establishes an option for an individual retirement plan for more than two-million private sector workers who do not have access to retirement plans at their jobs. Quinn adds the Social Security benefits on which many rely are not adequate to cover all expenses after those workers retire.

Still, Ben VanMetre, director of pension reform at the Illinois Policy Institute, has some concerns.

“Illinois has one of the worst government-run pension plans in the nation. What this bill does is it creates a new government entity with a new function, and that is to mandate the private sector retirement plan,” he explains. “Every company in Illinois that has more than 25 employees will be required to participate in and offer their employees a retirement plan through the state. This plan is expected to cost the state between $15 million to $20 million to start up.”

Illinois Lottery said today its sales have grown significantly since it took back control of marketing of the Lottery and its various instant games last August, afterNorthstar Lottery Group was terminated as the Lottery’s first-ever private manager.

According to Illinois Lottery sales data, holiday instant game sales increased 38.7 percent last month to more than $34.7 million, up from $25.05 million in December of 2013. Total instant game sales last month totaled $163.44 million, up from $146.96 million a year ago.

Since retaking control of marketing last summer, Illinois Lottery executives have returned to running more brand advertising emphasizing the “Anything’s Possible” message first developed by Lottery roster agency Downtown Partners Chicago. That campaign was designed to broaden the player base for the Lottery.

Illinois’ next state treasurer says he plans to run an audit of his new office after he’s sworn in on Monday.

Democratic Treasurer-elect Mike Frerichs told the Daily Herald editorial board Wednesday that he’ll also consider releasing at least part of an internal report about allegations against GOP Treasurer Dan Rutherford.

Rutherford had the report done after former staffer Edmund Michalowski filed a lawsuit last year. Michalowski claimed Rutherford made unwanted sexual advances toward him and forced him to do campaign work on government time.

The head of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce expects revitalizing the state’s business climate will be a pressing focus with a new governor set to take office next week.

Incoming Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner can take Illinois in a new direction, Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch said Wednesday during the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast at the Decatur Club.

“Restoring fiscal sanity to the state of Illinois is going to be dominant,” said Maisch, who has held the top position at the Chamber for about 6 months. “It could take all of the oxygen out of the room.”

The state has spent more than $20 million in the past decade to develop 1,000 teachers who would work in distressed public schools and boost the number of minority educators in Illinois.

But since the Grow Your Own Teacher program was launched in January 2005 it has produced just 102 college graduates, and only about 80 of those are teaching.

Hundreds of would-be teachers dropped out after borrowing from the program for college tuition, fees and books, and they didn’t have to repay the loans under rules laid out by the state, officials said. Millions of dollars went to colleges and community groups tapped as program administrators, in some cases eclipsing money spent on the teacher candidates, state financial records show.