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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
High workers’ compensation costs cited in closing of Quincy factory
High workers’ compensation costs cited in closing of Quincy factory
The closing of a factory in Quincy, Ill., will leave more than 150 employees with uncertain futures. According to a recent report from The Quincy Herald-Whig, representatives of Quincy Compressor have announced that the factory will close in July 2015. Layoffs are expected to begin this fall. Despite efforts from union leaders and government officials...
Speeding ticket can cost you more than $900 in Illinois
Speeding ticket can cost you more than $900 in Illinois
It’s Independence Day weekend. You’re driving out to the suburbs, into the city, up to a lake or maybe down to the state capital. You’re going 15 miles per hour over the speed limit. Lights flash. You hear: “License and registration please.” You’re on the hook for $120. Or so you think. In reality, the...
Occupational licensing overkill in Illinois
Occupational licensing overkill in Illinois
Nearly two in five workers in the U.S. need government permission just to do their jobs. One of the ways that permission is granted is through occupational licensing programs imposed by state and local governments. This setup raises barriers to entry for many professions. The supposed justification for these rules is that they help protect...
Setting the CTU straight on teacher retirement benefits
Setting the CTU straight on teacher retirement benefits
Opponents of real pension reform often argue that government workers receive modest pensions. The Chicago Teacher’s Union, or CTU, is one such opponent. Under its FAQ page about teacher pensions, the union’s website states: “The average Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund (CTPF) retiree earns $42,000 per year. Of the 87,000 retired teachers in Illinois, almost 1...
Illinois metro areas’ employment numbers lower than they were decade ago
Illinois metro areas’ employment numbers lower than they were decade ago
Employment in Illinois’ metropolitan areas improved in May, but employment growth is still far behind what it should be, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All 10 metropolitan areas saw month-over-month and year-over-year improvement of their unemployment rates. Unfortunately, every Illinois metro area has an unemployment rate above the national average of...
Security breach threatens privacy of ObamaCare enrollees
Security breach threatens privacy of ObamaCare enrollees
According to a recent report, the Vermont health insurance exchange was breached late last year by a Romanian hacker. The criminal gained access to the exchange’s development server at least 15 times over the course of one month. This is not the first time the Vermont exchange system has been hacked, raising serious concerns about...
Saving Chicago: Reforming city-worker retirement ages
Saving Chicago: Reforming city-worker retirement ages
The problem Chicago is suffering from one of the worst pension crises in the nation. To begin fixing its failing system, the city should move away from a politician-controlled, defined-benefit system. But another important step is reforming retirement-age requirements. The Chicago systems’ retirement ages don’t reflect today’s fiscal and demographic realities. People are living longer,...