Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate
Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate
Only 51 percent of black adults reported having some form of work in Illinois.
Illinois State Senator Andy Manar jumps the shark
Illinois State Senator Andy Manar jumps the shark
Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate
Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate
New Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Illinois’ black residents have an unemployment rate of 12.7 percent, more than double the state’s overall rate.
SB 1905 designed to ban local Right to Work in Illinois
SB 1905 designed to ban local Right to Work in Illinois
The Illinois House Labor and Commerce Committee has passed a bill to prohibit municipalities in Illinois from enacting local Right-to-Work measures. The bill now heads to the full House of Representatives for a hearing.
Constitutional amendment term limiting legislative leaders advances
Constitutional amendment term limiting legislative leaders advances
A bill that would apply term limits to legislative leaders in the Illinois House and Senate cleared a major hurdle May 19, and is scheduled for a second reading May 22.
Illinois House has spent less than 6 hours in session this month
Illinois House has spent less than 6 hours in session this month
House members have spent as much time playing softball and basketball as they have in session since the beginning of May.
Bill to honor Barack Obama’s birthday headed to Gov. Rauner
Bill to honor Barack Obama’s birthday headed to Gov. Rauner
Illinois Senate Bill 55 would observe former President Barack Obama’s Aug. 4 birthday, but keep state facilities open.
State lawmakers don’t really care about the budget
State lawmakers don’t really care about the budget
The odds Illinois continues without a budget until 2018 increase sharply if nothing passes before the end of May
Cullerton bill takes wrong approach to Illinois pension reform
Cullerton bill takes wrong approach to Illinois pension reform
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s pension bill could be unconstitutional, is unfair to workers and based on unproven math, and perpetuates Illinois’ broken pension system.
Illinois loses 7,200 jobs in April, workforce shrinks by 17,800
Illinois loses 7,200 jobs in April, workforce shrinks by 17,800
Illinois still has 25,600 fewer jobs compared with the year 2000. Illinois is one of the only states in the country to have fewer jobs today than at the turn of the century.
Butterball to close Montgomery-based plant, costing 600 jobs
Butterball to close Montgomery-based plant, costing 600 jobs
The plant will close its doors by July 17 and offer some employees relocation opportunities.
6 key reasons to say ‘no’ to Flynn Currie pension bill in the Illinois House
6 key reasons to say ‘no’ to Flynn Currie pension bill in the Illinois House
Illinois state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie has introduced a pension bill that is unfair to new and current workers, is potentially unconstitutional, bails out Chicago Public Schools’ pensions, and perpetuates Illinois’ broken pension system.
Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014
Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014
By fixing cost drivers, decreasing the cost of doing business in Illinois, and easing the tax burden, Illinois can encourage jobs growth and stand a better chance at attracting and retaining younger people.
Illinois’ unpaid bills jump to $14.3B
Illinois’ unpaid bills jump to $14.3B
New numbers from the Illinois comptroller’s office show that Illinois’ unpaid bill backlog has climbed to more than $14 billion. In August 2016, Moody’s Investors Service predicted Illinois’ bill backlog would reach $14 billion by summer 2017.