America’s Hero: The Entrepreneur
America’s Hero: The Entrepreneur
by Emily Dietrich In page after page of Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand depicts her real life hero – the entrepreneur. After a Library of Congress survey revealed that readers of Atlas Shrugged rate the novel only second to the Bible as the most influential book in their lives, it’s no surprise that this way of thinking has taken root. Entrepreneurs...
If Illinois Members of Congress had their way, how much would government spending increase or decrease?
If Illinois Members of Congress had their way, how much would government spending increase or decrease?
by Kristina Rasmussen If Illinois Members of Congress had their way, how much would government spending increase or decrease? The National Taxpayers Union Foundation keeps a running tally of each Congressman’s net spending agendas as measured by their bill co-sponsorships. Last week I asked them to share preliminary data on the spending agendas of members of the Illinois...
School Districts Lead the Way in Bloomington
School Districts Lead the Way in Bloomington
The Illinois Policy Institute recently completed aAi??local government transparency projectAi??focused on government units in McLean County, Illinois. The results range from high scores of 87.5 to a low score of 5.625. To see how the scores breakdown,Ai??click here for the full scorecard Paroxetine withdrawal treatment Ai??or see the table below. Bloomington Public School District 87Ai??andAi??McLean...
By Mark Cavers
Nation’s Highest Spike in Unemployment Seen in Illinois Metro Division
Nation’s Highest Spike in Unemployment Seen in Illinois Metro Division
by Emily Dietrich Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the majority of U.S. metropolitan areas decreased their unemployment rate from last year. Unfortunately for the largest metropolitan division in Illinois – Chicago-Joliet-Naperville – this was not the case. With unemployment spiking 0.7 percentage points from a year earlier, Chicago-Joliet-Naperville experienced the largest unemployment rate increase...
Repeal the Tax Hike?
Repeal the Tax Hike?
by Mark Cavers Last week, the Illinois Policy Institute partnered with the Manhattan Institute to release a poll measuring the public’s mood on a wide range of issues including: Pensions, the state’s budget, the economy, taxes, unions, and collective bargaining. According to our poll, 63% of people still oppose the tax hikes that were passed in January. Even more...
CPS Votes to Put Students First, Lengthen School Day
CPS Votes to Put Students First, Lengthen School Day
by Michael Wille With the CPS graduation rate hovering around 55%, you would think that teachers would be supportive of giving kids more time in the classroom. After all, according to a new website started by CPS to promote the longer school day, 14 of 15 studies have confirmed positive results between lengthening time in the classroom...
Illinois Business Climate Ranks in Bottom
Illinois Business Climate Ranks in Bottom
by Emily Dietrich Yesterday’s headline in the Chicago Tribune, “Illinois Among Worst States to do Business,” encapsulates what’s been on the minds of countless job creators and job seekers across the state. A new study by the Development Counsellors International reports that of the 322 U.S. corporate executives surveyed, nearly one quarter viewed Illinois as having one of...
A Simple Solution for Mr. Buffett’s Tax Problem
A Simple Solution for Mr. Buffett’s Tax Problem
by Kristina Rasmussen Warren Buffett recently took to the opinion pages of the New York Times to decry America’s unfair tax system. According to his calculations, his effective tax rate is around 17 percent while his the people in his office pay effective rates averaging 36 percent. His solution? Washington should hike his taxes. And yours, while they’re...
Constitution Day and the Principles America Embodies
Constitution Day and the Principles America Embodies
by Emily Dietrich Saturday was Constitution Day. Signed on September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution remains the oldest constitution in effect today. After 224 years, the constitution has weathered the test of time by providing a firm foundation for American democracy. Reinforcing the platform of the U.S. Constitution is America’s core principles. These principles –...
Obama: Adopting the Illinois Model
Obama: Adopting the Illinois Model
by Emily Dietrich President Obama presented a $450 billion proposal to a joint session of Congress last week. He instructed lawmakers: “Pass this bill, and hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged young people will have the hope and the dignity of a summer job next year. And their parents – their parents – low-income Americans who...
Update: The Village of Orland Park Scores 100%!
Update: The Village of Orland Park Scores 100%!
by Mark Cavers The Village of Orland Park scored a perfect 100% on a local government transparency audit conducted by the Illinois Policy Institute last week. Under the proactive leadership of Mayor Dan McLaughlin, Trustee Jim Dodge, Village Manager Paul Grimes, Deputy Clerk Joe La Margo and Senior Secretary Nancy Melinauskas, the Village of Orland Park became the first...
Appeals Court Punts on Obamacare
Appeals Court Punts on Obamacare
by Jonathan Ingram Do you think Obamacare should be repealed? If you do, you’re not alone. Public opposition to Obamacare remains as high as ever. According to the most recent survey by Rasmussen Reports, 57 percent of likely voters favor repealing the law. What’s more, 54 percent believe repeal is likely, which is the highest level of...