86% of Illinois state lawmakers received money from major government unions since 2002
86% of Illinois state lawmakers received money from major government unions since 2002
House Speaker Mike Madigan received more than $1.1 million since 2002 from the state’s five major public unions.
By David Giuliani
John and Joey prosper while Little Jimmy gets left behind: Naperville denies permit for a third food cart
John and Joey prosper while Little Jimmy gets left behind: Naperville denies permit for a third food cart
Despite a unanimous recommendation of approval, the Naperville City Council voted to deny Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice a permit to operate a food cart in Naperville, while allowing John’s Rib House and Joey’s Red Hots to continue to operate.
By Jeffrey Schwab
Missing the boat on Right to Work
Missing the boat on Right to Work
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce seems to hold contradictory opinions when it comes to economic opportunity.
5 signs Illinois’ economy is failing, and 5 ways to fix it
5 signs Illinois’ economy is failing, and 5 ways to fix it
The people of Illinois – workers, entrepreneurs and business owners – have been held back by policy errors that have plagued the state for decades. But with the proper policy framework, the state can come back to life and lead the Midwest.
By Michael Lucci
Pension costs to consume 25 cents of every state-budget dollar in Illinois
Pension costs to consume 25 cents of every state-budget dollar in Illinois
The state’s 2016 pension cost is projected to increase to nearly $8 billion – or 25 cents of every dollar the state spends during the next budget year.
By Benjamin VanMetre
Video of alleged sleeping cop highlights problems with Illinois’ new anti-recording law
Video of alleged sleeping cop highlights problems with Illinois’ new anti-recording law
The Illinois Supreme Court has made clear that the police don’t have a reasonable expectation of privacy when they’re on duty in public.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
The 3 most powerful lessons learned from the 2011 tax hikes
The 3 most powerful lessons learned from the 2011 tax hikes
Since the January 2011 tax hikes, Illinois’ recovery slowed down, the rest of the Midwest sped up and the rest of the U.S. significantly accelerated. The Great Lakes states performed in lockstep with how well they fostered the free-enterprise system.
By Michael Lucci
Full text: Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address
Full text: Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address
Gov. Bruce Rauner's State of the State Address.
February 4, 2015
By illinoispolicy
State of the State BINGO!
State of the State BINGO!
Play BINGO! with us during Gov. Rauner's State of the State address at noon on Wednesday! Win free stuff!
State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about transparency in a state famous for corruption
State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about transparency in a state famous for corruption
The state that gave rise to Rod Blagojevich, Jesse Jackson Jr. and Rita Crundwell still hasn’t learned its lesson.
By Brian Costin
State of the state: 10 pension facts every Illinoisan should know
State of the state: 10 pension facts every Illinoisan should know
How bad the pension crisis really is, and why getting politicians out of the retirement business is the only way to solve it.
By Benjamin VanMetre