Madigan set to become longest-serving House speaker in modern U.S. history
Madigan set to become longest-serving House speaker in modern U.S. history
Chicago Democrat Mike Madigan will hold the speakership for a record 17th time.
Illinois Senate budget plan includes $5 billion in tax hikes, $7 billion in borrowing
Illinois Senate budget plan includes $5 billion in tax hikes, $7 billion in borrowing
The new budget plan coming out of the Illinois Senate does little to nothing to reform the state’s reckless spending and financial mismanagement, but does plenty to hurt state taxpayers.
Rauner reaches contract deal with conservation police officers union
Rauner reaches contract deal with conservation police officers union
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s agreement on a contract with the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council for conservation police officers, as well as 19 other Illinois government-worker unions, demonstrates that it is AFSCME – and not the governor – that is standing in the way of a fair contract for Illinois’ largest group of state workers.
Illinois companies announce 464 mass layoffs, mostly in Cook County
Illinois companies announce 464 mass layoffs, mostly in Cook County
Latest WARN report sees almost all mass layoff announcements come from Cook County.
Madigan’s mini mes
Madigan’s mini mes
Kentucky legislature votes to become nation’s 27th Right-to-Work state
Kentucky legislature votes to become nation’s 27th Right-to-Work state
Both chambers of Kentucky’s legislature have passed, and Gov. Matt Bevin has promised to sign, legislation bringing worker freedom to Kentucky – and further weakening Illinois’ regional economic competitiveness.
Illinois politicians should resist the urge to resuscitate failed EDGE tax credit program
Illinois politicians should resist the urge to resuscitate failed EDGE tax credit program
Illinois’ $1.3 billion in EDGE tax credits has brought in only 34,000 jobs since 2001, and has enabled politicians to hand out tax relief to select companies rather than lowering anti-growth taxes for all businesses.
Caterpillar considers moving 800 production jobs out of Aurora
Caterpillar considers moving 800 production jobs out of Aurora
Peoria-based heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has announced a possible move of up to 800 manufacturing jobs out of Aurora.
Why a budget won’t fix Illinois
Why a budget won’t fix Illinois
Pension costs alone now consume a quarter of the Illinois state budget.
Illinois lost 150,000 university students from 2000-2014
Illinois lost 150,000 university students from 2000-2014
Misplaced priorities in education funding have driven students out of the state and skyrocketed tuition costs.
Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process
Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process
The little-known legislative rules that govern the legislative process in the Illinois House of Representatives give the House speaker extraordinary power to orchestrate the legislative or political outcomes he or she wants. Those rules allow the speaker to influence the makeup of legislative committees; how lawmakers vote; and when, if ever, the bills get voted...
20 local governments raise sales tax in Illinois
20 local governments raise sales tax in Illinois
2017 brings a slew of new sales tax hikes for 20 municipalities in Illinois.
Moving out: Illinois has country’s worst outbound rate in 2016
Moving out: Illinois has country’s worst outbound rate in 2016
Data from moving companies reflect continued mass exodus from Illinois.