Illinois only Midwest state to lose people in past decade
Illinois only Midwest state to lose people in past decade
Illinois’ population decline has been accelerating during the past 7 years, while neighboring states gain from that loss.
2020 is worst year for jobs in Illinois’ history
2020 is worst year for jobs in Illinois’ history
Illinois lost 423,300 jobs from December 2019 through December 2020.
Four things to know about Chicago teachers striking over COVID-19
Four things to know about Chicago teachers striking over COVID-19
Most of CPS’s 340,000 students haven’t been in a classroom for 10 months, and a brewing CTU strike could keep them out even longer.
End of an era
End of an era
Lightfoot pushes Pritzker to ease restrictions as dining resumes in southern, central Illinois
Lightfoot pushes Pritzker to ease restrictions as dining resumes in southern, central Illinois
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she wants Gov. J.B. Pritzker to give city residents more freedom to drink and dine out. Two other Illinois regions were just granted more liberty to do so.
Illinois lawmakers hand Pritzker another tax loss, pass Chicago pension hike
Illinois lawmakers hand Pritzker another tax loss, pass Chicago pension hike
Lame duck session was busy even when House Democrats weren’t focused on replacing Mike Madigan as speaker. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s small business tax hike died as 23 bills were passed, including one making Chicago’s pension woes worse.
Pritzker to decide COLA increase for Chicago firefighter pensions, with $850M price tag
Pritzker to decide COLA increase for Chicago firefighter pensions, with $850M price tag
Over the objections of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who called the legislation “irresponsible,” state lawmakers passed a bill to increase the cost-of-living adjustment for 2,200 Chicago firefighter pensions to 3% from 1.5%. Gov. J.B. Pritzker should veto it.
While Pritzker talks state worker furloughs, New York delays raises
While Pritzker talks state worker furloughs, New York delays raises
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker could delay the $313 million in raises state workers have yet to receive, but instead he’s considering taking $75 million from their paychecks and leaving taxpayers without their services.
Moving companies report Illinois exodus hits 10th year
Moving companies report Illinois exodus hits 10th year
More people again in 2020 became former Illinoisans than new Illinoisans. The new General Assembly has the power to stop the moving vans.
Timothy Carroll
Timothy Carroll
“I went to appeal my property taxes and won. But that same year they increased the levy amount, so my taxes still went up."
Moving out Madigan
Moving out Madigan
Illinois unemployment claims double
Illinois unemployment claims double
Illinois unemployment numbers dropped for a week during the holidays, but they were back up last week as the state's hospitality industry remains out in the cold.
Madigan’s reign ends as longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history
Madigan’s reign ends as longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history
Illinoisans watched the politically impossible become the politically inevitable.
Pritzker wants $500M tax hike on Illinois small businesses
Pritzker wants $500M tax hike on Illinois small businesses
Congress provided tax benefits for business losses in the CARES Act to help offset economic challenges during the pandemic. Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to undo that relief to raise revenue for Illinois.