Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

The 3 most powerful lessons learned from the 2011 tax hikes

The 3 most powerful lessons learned from the 2011 tax hikes

Since the January 2011 tax hikes, Illinois’ recovery slowed down, the rest of the Midwest sped up and the rest of the U.S. significantly accelerated. The Great Lakes states performed in lockstep with how well they fostered the free-enterprise system.

By Michael Lucci

State of the State BINGO!

State of the State BINGO!

Play BINGO! with us during Gov. Rauner's State of the State address at noon on Wednesday! Win free stuff!

After 2 historic months of jobs growth, Illinois still lagging

After 2 historic months of jobs growth, Illinois still lagging

The two months since the election have been the Land of Lincoln’s best stretch of employment growth in the post-recession era. But the state’s sudden job-creation steam will run out without a healthy fuel of economic-reform policies.

By Michael Lucci

Illinois government employees take home inflated pay

Illinois government employees take home inflated pay

Illinois’ state-government compensation ratio – in other words, what state employees are paid relative to the state’s private-sector workers – is two-thirds higher than the national average.

By Austin Berg