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Lawsuit challenging Chicago’s “Netflix tax” advances

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Carl Anthony Walker allowed a lawsuit challenging Chicago’s 9 percent tax on internet-based streaming media services, such a Netflix, Spotify and Xbox Live, to proceed this afternoon. The lawsuit, which the Liberty Justice Center filed in September on behalf of customers of these services, challenged the application of the city’s...

BLS Job Report: Illinois loses 2,200 jobs in June, middle-class job opportunities continues to fade

Illinois lost 2,200 jobs in June, according to a report released today by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data show Illinois’ economy remains stagnant with the report showing a net job loss and a significant workforce dropout. The overall jobs loss for the state was driven by a large loss of 7,300 jobs...

Illinois Policy Institute report analyzes health care benefits for state government workers, retirees

Illinois taxpayers subsidize 77 percent of health care costs for current workers, and 100 percent of retiree health insurance who have worked for the state 20 years.

Attempt to override governor’s veto of House Bill 580 fails: Statement from Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman

SPRINGFIELD (May 25, 2016) – This afternoon, the Illinois House of Representatives attempted, but failed, to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 580. Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman released the following statement in response to the vote:  “Today marks another tremendous victory for taxpayers in Illinois.  “Twice now, government unions and the politicians...

BLS report: Illinois has highest unemployment rate in nation

Despite April marking the fourth consecutive month of job gains, Illinois’ workforce outgrew job opportunities

U.S. Census Bureau: Population is declining in the majority of Illinois’ largest cities

Chicago had the second-worst population decline in the U.S.

Taxpayers to rally at the Statehouse urging lawmakers to protect their voice in contract negotiations with AFSCME

Today is “Taxpayer Advocacy Day,” marking the day Illinoisans from all across the state will visit with lawmakers at the Statehouse to ask them not to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 580

State government workers in Illinois highest paid in the nation: Illinois Policy Institute report

CHICAGO (May 13, 2016) – A new report released today by the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute finds that state government workers in Illinois are the highest paid in the nation, when wages are indexed for cost of living. The average annual salary of state government workers in Illinois is $59,088 – approximately $10,000 more than...