Prestige Metals to move from Illinois to Wisconsin
Prestige Metals to move from Illinois to Wisconsin
The small sheet metal fabricator will move from its current facility in Antioch, Ill., to an 8-acre location in Bristol, Wis.
‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions
‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions
An education-funding plan in the General Assembly is already proven to make unattainable goals at a high cost to taxpayers.
Return of the Grand Bargain
Return of the Grand Bargain
Poll shows ‘large majorities’ of Illinois voters support legalizing marijuana
Poll shows ‘large majorities’ of Illinois voters support legalizing marijuana
Illinoisans of all ages, political party affiliations and regions of the state favor legalizing marijuana and regulating and taxing it like alcohol, as provided in legislation proposed by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy on March 22.
Illinois has hurt its economy by piling on taxes since the Great Recession
Illinois has hurt its economy by piling on taxes since the Great Recession
State and local tax hikes in Illinois have hurt economic growth, lowered the standard of living, and contributed to out-migration.
Madigan’s budget combo
Madigan’s budget combo
Illinois has unusually strong jobs growth in February
Illinois has unusually strong jobs growth in February
In February 2017 Illinois surpassed its previous jobs peak from September 2000. However, long-term problems could potentially hamstring further jobs growth if left unaddressed.
Illinois needs to end the third-party payer problem for teacher pensions
Illinois needs to end the third-party payer problem for teacher pensions
Illinois’ teacher pension system is structured to allow local school boards to agree to generous contracts, knowing taxpayers across the state will foot the bill. This system should change so that local school boards cover their own pension costs. That way, they will bear the full cost of salary increases they decide on, rather than pushing much of that cost onto unaware state taxpayers.
Court strikes down ban on campaign contributions from medical marijuana licensees
Court strikes down ban on campaign contributions from medical marijuana licensees
“By singling out medical cannabis organizations,” Judge Lee wrote, the state of Illinois appeared to be favoring certain speakers based on their viewpoints – precisely the type of discrimination the Supreme Court has disapproved of in the past.
Pension reform plan for Illinois: Right under its nose
Pension reform plan for Illinois: Right under its nose
Since 1998, more than 20,000 state university workers have opted into a 401(k)-style plan instead of the traditional pension plan.
Poll results show only 1/3 of Illinoisans say they’ve been affected by the budget impasse
Poll results show only 1/3 of Illinoisans say they’ve been affected by the budget impasse
Forty percent of respondents to a newly released statewide poll blame the government for poverty. Poll results also show that Illinoisans feel insecure about jobs and education, in addition to frustration with government dysfunction.
Rauner seeks quicker resolution of AFSCME impasse decision
Rauner seeks quicker resolution of AFSCME impasse decision
AFSCME’s obstruction of a contract for state workers costs taxpayers approximately $35 million to $40 million a month in healthcare costs alone. Gov. Bruce Rauner is seeking a direct appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court to bring relief to taxpayers burdened by AFSCME’s stall tactics.
Grand Bargain: Polishing a turd
Grand Bargain: Polishing a turd
Rudy Barrera
Rudy Barrera
“I work in the assembly department, basically I assemble the trucks. I’ve been with the company four years. “Originally I’m from Mexico. I grew up over there until I was 13. I came to Chicago, lived in the city until 2001. It was OK. I lived with my parents in an apartment. I went to...