Pete Dolan: Elmhurst Brewing Co.
Pete Dolan: Elmhurst Brewing Co.
"It’s really hard to put a new budget together and say this is where we’re going to end up. We know we can’t keep going like this for a long period of time."
Illinois’ new jobless claims remain high, push total since COVID-19 to nearly 1.1M
Illinois’ new jobless claims remain high, push total since COVID-19 to nearly 1.1M
Self-employed and gig workers were finally allowed to file for benefits last week, driving the total to nearly 1.1 million Illinoisans seeking help since COVID-19 hit the state’s economy.
Pritzker forced to withdraw criminal penalties for small business owners who defy his order
Pritzker forced to withdraw criminal penalties for small business owners who defy his order
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker rescinded the rule that could have put defiant business owners in jail for up to a year. He first imposed it when his authority to close them during the pandemic was challenged.
Janice Yoder: Adore Bridal
Janice Yoder: Adore Bridal
“My store is closed. The morning I had to explain to my staff that I had to lay them off, I cried."
Pritzker: Respect my authoritah
Pritzker: Respect my authoritah
Rob Knight: Rob Knight’s Swim America
Rob Knight: Rob Knight’s Swim America
"I just don’t know how much more people can be taxed and remain in business."
Marilyn Kline-Peacock: Marilyn Peacock Day Care Home
Marilyn Kline-Peacock: Marilyn Peacock Day Care Home
"I don’t know what the future is for my business. I know I can’t go 150 days [closed]. There’s no way I will survive. I will have to quit something I’ve done for 22 years."
Illinois lawmakers returning to deal with $7B budget hole, COVID-19 fallout
Illinois lawmakers returning to deal with $7B budget hole, COVID-19 fallout
What to watch for as the Illinois General Assembly convenes for the first time in more than two months.
These lawmakers will decide whether to criminalize small business owners who defy Pritzker order
These lawmakers will decide whether to criminalize small business owners who defy Pritzker order
Small business owners trying to save their livelihoods could face up to a year in prison under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s new emergency rules, unless a key committee fights back.
Illinois’ struggling unemployment program to run out of money in May
Illinois’ struggling unemployment program to run out of money in May
As new claims overwhelm an unprepared and inefficient system, the state has been pre-approved for a $5 billion loan from the federal government to ensure benefits continue to be paid.
Illinois’ small business owners face imprisonment, $2,500 fine for reopening under Pritzker’s order
Illinois’ small business owners face imprisonment, $2,500 fine for reopening under Pritzker’s order
The governor’s new penalty comes without approval from the Illinois General Assembly.
Illinois lawmakers introduce resolution to take progressive income tax off ballot
Illinois lawmakers introduce resolution to take progressive income tax off ballot
Removing the progressive tax question from the Nov. 3 ballot would give over 100,000 small businesses some certainty as they struggle to recover from the COVID-19 shutdown.
Progressive income tax hike could be up to 47% for Illinois small businesses
Progressive income tax hike could be up to 47% for Illinois small businesses
Small businesses face a potential income tax hike nearly 5 times larger than corporations under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” amendment.
State legal memo: Illinois governor needs lawmakers’ approval before extending emergency powers
State legal memo: Illinois governor needs lawmakers’ approval before extending emergency powers
Amid a recent series of lawsuits, the 2001 informal opinion by the Illinois Attorney General’s office concludes the emergency powers granted a governor during a disaster cannot be extended beyond 30 days without legislative approval.