Illinois unemployment rate hits low despite tepid jobs growth

By illinoispolicy

10/28/2019

Illinois’ unemployment rate hit 3.9% in September – the first time in decades that the jobless rate went under 4%, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

TAGS: employment, jobs, unemployment

Illinois is more dependent on food stamps than any other neighboring state

By Tivas Gupta

08/23/2019

Illinois has a higher percentage of its residents on food stamps than its neighboring states, and has seen a much slower decline in food stamp recipients following the recession.

TAGS: employment, food stamps, jobs, SNAP, unemployment, welfare

Illinois ‘license to landscape’ bill is a pure protection racket

By Austin Berg

05/03/2019

Licensing should be the last resort. Instead, in the case of the landscape architects, it appears to be a grab for a different kind of green.

TAGS: employment, jobs, licensing, occupational licensing, unemployment

Illinois employment growth continues to lag the nation through the first quarter of 2019

By Bryce Hill

04/22/2019

Illinois’ total employment growth ranks 31st from December 2018 to March 2019. Continued population loss likely to follow poor job growth.

TAGS: employment, fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, jobs, outmigration, progressive income tax, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau, unemployment

Pritzker progressive tax may send oil transport business out of Illinois

By Brad Weisenstein

03/08/2019

Most business is mobile. Most of Illinois is close to another state. Add a progressive state income tax and watch businesses such as Piasa Motor Fuels cross the bridge to Missouri.

TAGS: employment, fair tax, income tax, jobs, outmigration, progressive income tax, taxes

Chrysler to cut nearly 1,400 Illinois jobs, add 6,500 in Michigan

By Vincent Caruso

03/01/2019

The Jeep Cherokee manufacturer plans to lay off nearly 1,400 workers at its Belvidere, Illinois, facility and invest $4.5 billion in a 6,500-job expansion in Michigan.

TAGS: employment, Fiat Chrysler, jobs, outmigration, progressive income tax, property taxes, regulations, taxes, unemployment

Illinois small business cuts 6 jobs immediately after $15 minimum wage hike

By Brad Weisenstein

02/19/2019

A vinyl graphics business in southwestern Illinois wasn’t planning to downsize. But the state’s $15 minimum wage hike has forced the owners to cut six jobs.

TAGS: employment, jobs, minimum wage, unemployment

Pritzker signs statewide $15 minimum wage into law

By Vincent Caruso

02/19/2019

Estimates from the governor’s office suggest the minimum wage increase will add $1.1 billion to the state payroll, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: employment, JB Pritzker, jobs, minimum wage, unemployment

Printing company foresees robot in Indiana benefitting from Illinois $15 minimum wage

By Brad Weisenstein

02/14/2019

The owner of a growing book printing company faces a greater threat from out-of-state competitors thanks to lawmakers in his home state. Calls for a $15 minimum wage and progressive tax could hurt his workers and business in southern Illinois.

TAGS: employment, jobs, minimum wage, outmigration, progressive income tax, taxes, unemployment

Statewide $15 minimum wage passes Illinois House, ready for Pritzker

By Vincent Caruso

02/14/2019

The Illinois House voted for a statewide $15 minimum wage – adding $1.1 billion to the state payroll, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: employment, JB Pritzker, jobs, Mike Madigan, minimum wage, outmigration, unemployment

2019 Illinois corruption tracker

Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, according to the University of Illinois-Chicago. And corruption costs the state economy at least $550 million per year. But the size and scope of government corruption is nothing new for Illinoisans. What is new? Powerful Illinois lawmakers, Chicago aldermen, local mayors and business interests are involved...

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2019 Illinois corruption tracker

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Al Lashbrook

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students