Government-union demands hurt taxpayers
Government-union demands hurt taxpayers
Illinois government-worker unions demand pay that outstrips that of Illinois private-sector workers and propose numerous tax hikes to fund their contract demands.
Auditor general: Illinois Lottery made illegal $20 million prepayment just ahead of budget stalemate
Auditor general: Illinois Lottery made illegal $20 million prepayment just ahead of budget stalemate
The Illinois auditor general found the Illinois Lottery in violation of a state finance law for paying $20 million to ensure that, even in the absence of a state budget, Illinois could continue to participate in the Mega Millions and Powerball games.
Illinois politicians reintroduce penny-per-ounce ‘sugary drink’ tax
Illinois politicians reintroduce penny-per-ounce ‘sugary drink’ tax
State lawmakers propose regressive tax on sugary drinks to help fill budget holes created by decades of irresponsible policies.
Pension debt for Chicago city-worker pensions doubles to more than $21 billion
Pension debt for Chicago city-worker pensions doubles to more than $21 billion
Thanks to new government reporting standards, Chicago’s municipal-workers and laborers pension funds’ debt doubled in 2015 to more than $21 billion. That’s $20,500 of pension debt per Chicago household.
Golden idol
Golden idol
Illinois soda tax would hit low-income households hardest
Illinois soda tax would hit low-income households hardest
A soda tax would fall upon those who can afford it least, and would serve only as another tax hike “solution” for a state that has a spending problem.
Rahm’s power move on Airbnb ordinance shows who’s the boss in City Hall
Rahm’s power move on Airbnb ordinance shows who’s the boss in City Hall
Despite calls for more time, the mayor flexed his muscle to increase taxes on short-term Airbnb rentals to over 21 percent.
92% percent of Illinoisans support criminal-justice reform, poll finds
92% percent of Illinoisans support criminal-justice reform, poll finds
A recent survey of Illinois voters by the U.S. Justice Action Network shows vast popular support for criminal-justice reform.
Illinois has highest unemployment rate in nation
Illinois has highest unemployment rate in nation
A new report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows Illinois gained 5,400 jobs in April, but the state’s unemployment rate ticked up to 6.6 percent, tied for highest in the U.S.
Illinois’ opioid crisis and the dark side of a broken workers’ compensation system
Illinois’ opioid crisis and the dark side of a broken workers’ compensation system
Illinois physicians can sell “repackaged” pills at exorbitant markups, averaging between 60 percent and 300 percent.
Illinois budget deal should include eliminating outdated corporate franchise tax
Illinois budget deal should include eliminating outdated corporate franchise tax
The franchise tax is complicated and confusing, and compliance wastes the time and economic resources of Illinois’ businesses.
3 key takeaways from the May 18 union rally in Springfield
3 key takeaways from the May 18 union rally in Springfield
AFSCME members lobbied for $3 billion in additional pay and benefits, showing their lack of concern for Illinois’ overburdened taxpayers.
CEO survey: Illinois the worst state in the Midwest for business
CEO survey: Illinois the worst state in the Midwest for business
On the other end of the spectrum, Indiana ranked as best in the Midwest and No. 5 in the U.S., with Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee taking the top four spots. All of these states attract swarms of people in migration from Illinois, especially Texas, Florida and Indiana.
Jane Johnson
Jane Johnson
“I grew up on the West Side of Chicago and was working in fast food. We’re talking 20 hours a week at $8.25 an hour, but I was always interested in computers. And a counselor at my transitional housing program recommended I try out a program that would give me some training in that field....