Illinois has highest black unemployment rate in the country
Illinois has highest black unemployment rate in the country
Illinois has had the nation’s highest black unemployment rate for 15 months in a row.
Chicago area sees slow jobs growth, downstate suffers continued job losses
Chicago area sees slow jobs growth, downstate suffers continued job losses
Metropolitan jobs data shows that from October 2015 – October 2016 the greater Chicago area is up +33,500 jobs while the rest of the state is down -2,700 jobs. Measured since before the Great Recession, from October 2007 – October 2016, the greater Chicago area is up 110,100 jobs while the rest of the state is down -42,700 jobs.
AFSCME turns to courts to delay Rauner contract, costing taxpayers millions
AFSCME turns to courts to delay Rauner contract, costing taxpayers millions
A judge in Cook County has issued a temporary restraining order halting a labor board decision that would allow the state to implement its contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The delay costs Illinois taxpayers over $1 million more each day in state-worker health coverage costs.
LA Tan settles case under Illinois privacy law for $1.5M
LA Tan settles case under Illinois privacy law for $1.5M
L.A. Tan has settled a class action lawsuit in which plaintiffs alleged the company stored customers’ fingerprint data in violation of Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, or BIPA. Whether this settlement opens the gates to a flood of BIPA litigation remains to be seen.
Why all Illinoisans need action on workers’ comp
Why all Illinoisans need action on workers’ comp
The cost of workers’ compensation for municipalities, counties and state government in Illinois is more than $400 million per year.
Veto session ends with almost no overrides, but lame duck looms in January
Veto session ends with almost no overrides, but lame duck looms in January
The failure of almost all potential veto overrides in 2016 is a victory for Illinois taxpayers.
Bill to give ex-offenders access to state-issued IDs goes to Rauner’s desk
Bill to give ex-offenders access to state-issued IDs goes to Rauner’s desk
Senate Bill 3368 will ensure former inmates leaving Illinois’ prisons have state-issued identification, which will assist their re-entry into their communities and make it easier for them to apply for jobs or housing.
Addressing criminal justice through Adult Redeploy saved IL $76 million from 2011-2015
Addressing criminal justice through Adult Redeploy saved IL $76 million from 2011-2015
The state initiative has both saved taxpayer money and given offenders the opportunity to break the cycle of incarceration.
AFSCME promises to appeal after Illinois Labor Relations Board formalizes impasse ruling
AFSCME promises to appeal after Illinois Labor Relations Board formalizes impasse ruling
A recent labor board decision means Gov. Bruce Rauner can start implementing his last contract offer to state workers. But the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees continues to obstruct progress toward a contract for state workers, vowing to appeal the labor board’s decision.
7 public officials arrested in Metro East area on corruption charges
7 public officials arrested in Metro East area on corruption charges
Corruption from several public officials in Metro East underscores the need for more government transparency in the area.
Budget sloth
Budget sloth
Illinois companies announce 650 mass layoffs in November
Illinois companies announce 650 mass layoffs in November
Employers in the Land of Lincoln announced 650 mass layoffs in November, according to the November edition of the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, report. This report marks the first time since July 2015 that there wasn’t single mass-layoff announcement in the manufacturing sector. The types of jobs lost were spread across...
After court ruling, Chicago food trucks must fight on against protectionist city rules
After court ruling, Chicago food trucks must fight on against protectionist city rules
In her Dec. 5 ruling, a Cook County Circuit Court judge said Chicago’s oppressive food truck regulations serve legitimate city interests. But evidence shows the only interests the rules protect are those of politically connected restaurant owners and politicians.
Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house
Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house
Real reform to help overtaxed Illinoisans – such as a property-tax cap and aggressive government consolidation – would be the gift that keeps giving the whole year round.