Real, reasonable pension reform: 401(k)-style plans for new state workers
Real, reasonable pension reform: 401(k)-style plans for new state workers
The recent Illinois Supreme Court ruling on state retiree health insurance benefits creates a major problem for both the state and local governments. The court ruled that retiree health insurance benefits are protected by the pension protection clause of the Illinois Constitution. The ruling will make it difficult to reform retiree health benefits and to...
By John Klingner
Illinois corruption watch, June 2014
Illinois corruption watch, June 2014
Unfortunately for taxpayers, June was a groundbreaking month for corruption in Illinois. In June alone, there were reports of 85 corruption-related stories in the state. Some of the record-breaking highlights include the following: For the first time in 33 years, the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission exercised its subpoena powers in the issuance of a subpoena...
By Brian Costin, Anthony Trania
Will Congress be forced to live by the same set of rules when it comes to health insurance?
Will Congress be forced to live by the same set of rules when it comes to health insurance?
It is a sad commentary on our political system when a lawmaker has to file suit in federal court to enforce the law. But earlier this year, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., did just that. He filed suit in federal court “to make Congress live by the letter of the health care law it imposed on...
By Naomi Lopez Bauman
Chicago State University sued for violating First Amendment rights
Chicago State University sued for violating First Amendment rights
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, or FIRE, filed a lawsuit against Chicago State University, or CSU, last week, accusing the university of “[engaging] in an ongoing campaign to silence … criticisms of how the university is run” when it tried to shut down an independently operated faculty blog. Since at least last year,...
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Scrap the ObamaCare employer mandate
Scrap the ObamaCare employer mandate
A recent Politico article, “Why liberals are abandoning the employer mandate,” highlights the growing list of liberal policy advocates and analysts who now favor scrapping the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, employer mandate. Originally scheduled to take effect in January of this year, this provision has already been delayed twice. The facts about the destructive...
By Naomi Lopez Bauman
Coffee Run: Chicago forces out entrepreneurs
Coffee Run: Chicago forces out entrepreneurs
Sara Travis loves Chicago. She’s lived here her whole life. When Sara decided to start her own business, there was no question that she would set up shop in her hometown. Sara founded The Brew Hub, a mobile coffee-vending business that sells iced coffees and teas, in June 2013. But she encountered endless obstacles to becoming...
Convicted felon and torturer will continue to receive pension
Convicted felon and torturer will continue to receive pension
A convicted torturer is still receiving an Illinois state pension. On July 3, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in favor of a decision by Chicago’s police pension board allowing disgraced former Chicago police Cmdr. Jon Burge to continue receiving his approximately $3,000 per month pension. That’s despite the fact that Burge is currently serving a...
By Austin Berg
Coffee Run: Chicago forces out entrepreneurs
Coffee Run: Chicago forces out entrepreneurs
When Sara decided to start her own business, there was no question that she would set up shop in her hometown.
A step in the right direction: Gov. Quinn vetoes “watchdog tax” bill
A step in the right direction: Gov. Quinn vetoes “watchdog tax” bill
The Illinois General Assembly recently sent a bill to Gov. Pat Quinn that would make it much harder and more expensive for citizens to fight public corruption through the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA. The governor did not sign this bill – and that’s good news for Illinoisans. Illinois is already ranked as the...
By Brian Costin
Harris v. Quinn aftermath: Respect the rule of law
Harris v. Quinn aftermath: Respect the rule of law
On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered its final decision in Harris v. Quinn. Justice Samuel Alito’s opinion, approved by a majority of the court, is the last word. There will be no further appeal. But there are still loose ends for the lawyers to tie up. The case of Harris v. Quinn will...
By Paul Kersey
It’s time to hold Illinois lawmakers accountable
It’s time to hold Illinois lawmakers accountable
Illinois Policy Action is launching a campaign to hold Illinois legislators accountable to their promise of letting the 2011 income tax hike sunset on schedule. In the spring legislative session, politicians strongly stated their opposition to extending this massive income tax increase on Illinois families. Now, Illinois Policy Action will be asking legislators to sign...
By Donovan Griffith
Chicago gas prices $0.53 higher than national average
Chicago gas prices $0.53 higher than national average
Just as travelers prepare to hit the road to celebrate Independence Day weekend, national gas prices have risen to levels not seen since 2008. And though prices have dropped slightly in Chicago, the price for a gallon of gas is still higher than it was last year, according to AAA. Today, the average price per...
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois employers warn of nearly 1,700 job cuts
Illinois employers warn of nearly 1,700 job cuts
More than a dozen companies in Illinois will likely cut a total of nearly 1,700 jobs by the end of the year, according to a new state report. The June report for the Illinois’ Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or WARN, is filled with job cuts from a commercial printing company, a jewelry company,...
By Austin Berg
Fireworks ban a boon for neighboring states, restricts Illinoisans
Fireworks ban a boon for neighboring states, restricts Illinoisans
Fireworks are a staple in America’s celebration of its Independence Day. But good luck buying any in Illinois. For yet another year, the Land of Lincoln is one of only eight states in the country that doesn’t allow the purchase of consumer fireworks. Illinois’ Pyrotechnic Use Act bans the sale, possession and use of those...
By Austin Berg