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Tinley Park Disposal received no-bid contracts for years

This article was written by Gregory Pratt and featured in the Chicago Tribune on November 3, 2014.  In 2011, Tinley Park concluded its residents were paying more for garbage collection than people in neighboring towns. But instead of trying to find a less expensive alternative, the village rehired the same garbage collection company, a firm tied to a political...

One in five Illinois households now dependent on food stamps

Illinois at highest number of households on food stamps for 2014, second-highest number in state history  Illinois’ economic recovery from the Great Recession has been too slow for many families across the state. New data released this week shows that more than one in five Illinois households are now dependent on food stamps to put...

Government watchdogs call for federal investigation into local sales-tax push

The campaigns to increase sales taxes in Kankakee County have raised concerns from government watchdogs that school officials may have broken state electioneering laws while working with private financial firms to pass sales-tax referendums in Kankakee county as well as around the state. Documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests by the Illinois Policy...

Illinois jobs growth

This article was written by Taurean Small and originally featured on ChicagoTonight on October 21, 20114.  Employment rates rose in most U.S. states and Illinois led the nation in job creation for the month of September. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest report, 31 states including Illinois unemployment rates fell. Illinois had the second strongest...

Medicaid expansion hurts Indiana’s competitiveness

This article was written by Naomi Lopez Bauman and featured in the IndyStar on October 21, 2014. Illinois residents have reacted with confusion, anger and shame upon seeing the infamous “Illinoyed?” billboards scattered across the state. The fact that more Illinoisans fleeing our high taxes, anemic job growth and crony politics head to Indiana than...

Unemployment report shows strong jobs growth despite significant manufacturing jobs decline

CHICAGO (Oct. 21, 2014) – Today, complete data showing Illinois’ unemployment levels were released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The September report shows mixed results, with Illinois gaining 19,300 net jobs but losing 2,800 manufacturing jobs. This expands on data released last week by the Illinois Department of Employment Security showing the state’s...

Commodity Wrap: Illinois’ death tax

Michael Lucci, Director of Jobs and Growth at the Illinois Policy Institute, was interviewed by Alexandra Lively for the Commodity Wrap on Rural Radio to discuss Illinois’ estate tax and it’s impact on rural communities.  Image source. 

“Union issue” still in background of governor’s campaign

This article was written by Matt Porter and featured on Illinois Homepage on October 16, 2014.  “Right to work” hasn’t been a headline in the campaign for Illinois governor, but it could be one of the most controversial topics. The policy for a state, or municipalities inside it, to become a “right to work” community...