PAC database reveals biggest union beneficiaries
PAC database reveals biggest union beneficiaries
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE UNION PAC DATABASE The database shows which Illinois politicians have received donations between 2002 to 2012 from PACs associated with: American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO); American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Illinois Education Association (IEA); Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT); and Service...
By Paul Kersey
The waste race: grants for entertainment in Illinois
The waste race: grants for entertainment in Illinois
Ready for a weekend of entertainment? Start by cruising around a shopping festival on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Then get some exercise on the eco-friendly, customized ziplines built by Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour Inc. in Williamson County. If that’s not enough, hit the wrestling matches at the Dual Meet Nationals in Springfield. Won’t be able to...
By Benjamin VanMetre
Right to Work: How did Michigan get to this point?
Right to Work: How did Michigan get to this point?
Right to Work has become a reality. The two-bill package passed both houses of the state legislature, and was signed into law by Gov. Snyder. Unions are continued to cry foul and staged wild protests outside the Michigan Statehouse – at one point they tore down a tent belonging to Americans for Prosperity. In yesterday’s post we discussed what...
By Paul Kersey
PAC database reveals biggest union beneficiaries
PAC database reveals biggest union beneficiaries
Union support is strongly tilted toward the Democratic Party, with GOP elected officials receiving only $0.25 for every dollar going to Democratic elected officials
The waste race: grants for entertainment in Illinois
The waste race: grants for entertainment in Illinois
Providing entertainment may seem like a far cry from an essential government service, but not in Illinois.
Institute on CBS Chicago: Unions concerned about potential Illinois right to work law
Institute on CBS Chicago: Unions concerned about potential Illinois right to work law
The governor of historically pro-union Michigan has signed
Quinn’s refusal to implement retiree health insurance legislation costs taxpayers big
Quinn’s refusal to implement retiree health insurance legislation costs taxpayers big
On top of the state’s massive pension debt, Illinois taxpayers are saddled with another $54 billion in debt for retiree health benefits. For years, retired state and university workers have paid little or nothing toward the cost of their health insurance premiums. With the annual cost for these benefits rapidly approaching $1 billion and crowding out other...
By Jonathan Ingram
Illinois local government headlines
Illinois local government headlines
Weekly local government headlines
Quinn
Quinn
Quinn has already wasted nearly $200 million by refusing to exercise his responsibility under the law. Every day that he fails to act, he wastes another $1.2 million.
MEDIA ALERT: Michigan prepares to enact Right to Work
MEDIA ALERT: Michigan prepares to enact Right to Work
Illinois Policy Institute labor expert available to comment on controversial law
Right to Work In Michigan?
Right to Work In Michigan?
Michigan is poised to pass a Right-to-Work law in the next couple of days. Union protesters are staked out at the Capitol building making their anti-Right-to-Work opinions known.
No adult supervision required
No adult supervision required
Springfield has a mother-may-I culture in which major legislative initiatives are not launched without the blessing of one of the caucus leaders.
Rock Island County paid $20,489 to Swine-time Pig Racing
Rock Island County paid $20,489 to Swine-time Pig Racing
Property taxes are rising, state income taxes are higher, unemployment is nearly 9 percent and local governments are supposedly cash-strapped. Schools are cutting programs, and police and fire pensions are crowding out spending on core local services. Yet local governments continue to waste the money of hardworking Illinoisans. Each year local governments in Illinois make payments for a wide...
By Benjamin VanMetre