Illinois needs a property-tax cap
Illinois needs a property-tax cap
Limiting how much units of government can raise taxes could provide much-needed relief for overtaxed Illinoisans.
3 key takeaways from the AFSCME impasse decision
3 key takeaways from the AFSCME impasse decision
On Sept. 2, a state administrative law judge issued a 400-page recommendation regarding the status of contract negotiations between Illinois and the state’s largest government-worker union. Three important things to know about the decision include: the state and AFSCME are in uncharted territory in their negotiation-related proceedings, the judge found the parties have reached impasse on 5 of 12 contested issues and the judge questioned AFSCME’s testimony and behavior during negotiations.
Foreclosures in Chicago suburbs nearly double in past year
Foreclosures in Chicago suburbs nearly double in past year
One in every 1,100 homes in Illinois is in bank-owned foreclosure.
Rauner signs bill limiting prison phone call costs
Rauner signs bill limiting prison phone call costs
New law reduces the rate for which Illinois’ adult and juvenile corrections facilities can contract for inmate telephone service.
Garbage Politicians: Jesse White Walker
Garbage Politicians: Jesse White Walker
Has Madigan given up on economic opportunity and responsible government?
Has Madigan given up on economic opportunity and responsible government?
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s current tax-and-spend policies and protection of special interests stand in contrast to the speaker’s past statements declaring the need for economic growth and opportunity.
Tamale Spaceship
Tamale Spaceship
“When I was a kid this is what I used to make with my grandmother. She would always make two batches of tamales: one batch [to] sell and one batch for family. For family there would be a lot more meat, a lot more flavor, a lot more lard. There would be nothing from a...
Illinois food manufacturer moves to Indiana
Illinois food manufacturer moves to Indiana
Enjoy Life Foods relocates manufacturing and distribution facility from Chicago suburbs to Indiana.
New law reduces barriers to park district employment for ex-offenders
New law reduces barriers to park district employment for ex-offenders
Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a bill allowing ex-offenders with certain drug convictions to apply for jobs with Illinois park districts within seven years of completing a prison sentence or probation.
Illinois’ out-migration rate many times worse than rates in surrounding states
Illinois’ out-migration rate many times worse than rates in surrounding states
The Land of Lincoln’s out-migration crisis is the most severe in the region and worsening over time.
Illinois’ labor-participation rate lowest since 1970s
Illinois’ labor-participation rate lowest since 1970s
Illinois lags the rest of the Midwest in recovering from the recession.
Illinois employers announce 1,044 layoffs in August
Illinois employers announce 1,044 layoffs in August
August records summer-high job losses, including 495 in manufacturing.
Rauner lays off final 29 patronage hires made by previous governors
Rauner lays off final 29 patronage hires made by previous governors
Gov. Bruce Rauner has laid off dozens of workers at a state agency, all political hires under previous governors.
Happy Lobster Truck
Happy Lobster Truck
“Talk about a dream come true. I started this business and I started it with my best friends. There’s a lot of pride in building something together. We all grew up in the suburbs and live in Chicago now. We knew we wanted to start this here because it’s our home and doing it for...