79,000 more Illinoisans are in poverty because state can’t fix its culture of corruption

By Orphe Divounguy

05/12/2021

If Illinois could have reduced corruption to the national average, an estimated 79,000 fewer people would be living in poverty, according to an analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute. State lawmakers can help by passing ethics reforms.

TAGS: corruption, economy, ethics reform, Illinois, income inequality, poverty

Illinois’ economy stuck trying to get through Pritzker’s COVID-19 ‘bridge phase’

By Hilary Gowins

04/29/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois is close to starting the extra ‘bridge phase’ of mandates he added in March, but over a year into his COVID-19 restrictions it is another barricade to the state’s economy. States with fewer limits are seeing bigger declines in infections.

TAGS: COVID-19, economy, JB Pritzker, reopen, restrictions

Report: Illinois fiscal health again 2nd worst in U.S.

By Ben Szalinski

09/22/2020

Each Illinois taxpayers owes $52,000, thanks to politicians spending more than they already take in. On Nov. 3 taxpayers will be asked for even more.

TAGS: debt, economy, JB Pritzker, pensions

Illinois’ new initial unemployment claims remain high

By Orphe Divounguy, Jon Josko

06/11/2020

New jobless claims remain several times higher than last year as state begins to test re-opening.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economy, jobs, recession, unemployment

Unemployment claims exceed 1.15 million as Illinois heads into 10th week of lockdown

By Bryce Hill

05/28/2020

Nearly 1 in 4 Illinoisans find themselves out of work, more than all border states except Kentucky.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economy, JB Pritzker, unemployment

Illinois’ new jobless claims remain high, push total since COVID-19 to nearly 1.1M

By Bryce Hill

05/21/2020

Self-employed and gig workers were finally allowed to file for benefits last week, driving the total to nearly 1.1 million Illinoisans seeking help since COVID-19 hit the state’s economy.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economy, JB Pritzker, unemployment

More than 1 million Illinoisans out of work since COVID-19

By Bryce Hill

05/14/2020

The state’s unemployment rate continues to soar as joblessness hits more than 1 in 5 workers.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economy, JB Pritzker, unemployment

Pritzker threatens to use state police against businesses reopening early

By Ben Szalinski

05/13/2020

Polling has found the vast majority of Illinoisans support reopening small retail businesses.

TAGS: coronavirus, covid, economy, executive order, illinois state police, JB Pritzker, reopen

3-in-4 Illinoisans support reopening small businesses immediately

By Ben Szalinski, Brad Weisenstein

05/13/2020

Small businesses have struggled since their doors were forced to close March 21. A new poll shows 75% of Illinoisans want them to be allowed to reopen now.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economy, executive order, JB Pritzker, reopen, small business

4 problems with Pritzker’s reopening plan

By Amy Korte

05/11/2020

‘Restore Illinois’ is short on details about when and how Illinoisans can get back to work.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economy, executive order, JB Pritzker, reopen