Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Quote of the day, November 9

Quote of the day, November 9

"Freedom is the emancipation from the arbitrary rule of other men." - Mortimer Adler

401(k)-style pension reform in Alaska

401(k)-style pension reform in Alaska

In 2005, Alaska froze the state’s traditional defined-benefit pension plan and created a self-managed 401(k)-style retirement plan for new public employees and teachers.

By Benjamin VanMetre

What you’re voting on

What you’re voting on

Voters will weigh in on non-binding referendums including a minimum-wage increase and a millionaires tax, as well as constitutional amendments on existing crime victims’ rights and voting rights.

By Jane McEnaney

7 of 10 Illinois metro areas are not recovering at all

7 of 10 Illinois metro areas are not recovering at all

Unemployment rates fell for most of Illinois’ metropolitan statistical areas in September, according to a press release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, seven out of 10 Illinois metro areas are not showing any signs of an economic recovery when it comes to putting people back to work. Champaign, Chicago and Springfield are showing...

By Michael Lucci

Three small changes for a better food-truck policy

Three small changes for a better food-truck policy

It’s been two years since Chicago last updated its food-truck regulations to allow vendors to prepare food onboard. This was a significant improvement, but there are still some important changes the city can and should make to better respect food-truck owners’ rights and improve food options for residents across the city. Here are three modest...

By Bryant Jackson-Green

Illinois Corruption Watch, October 2014

Illinois Corruption Watch, October 2014

In October, we found 52 different stories of potential public corruption in Illinois, including a trio of stories related to the election. An Illinois Policy investigation into emails from a group of Kankakee County superintendents revealed potentially illegal activities to pass a countywide sales-tax hike for school facilities. Documents obtained suggest illegal actions by superintendents...

By Brian Costin