Cooling down an overheated US economy doesn’t have to be painful

By Orphe Divounguy

06/03/2022

As jobs growth and wage growth show signs of slowing, tax and regulatory changes could help prevent economic pain.

TAGS: economy, Federal Reserve, Illinois, inflation

Illinois first to rely on ‘lender of last resort’ borrowing from Federal Reserve

By Adam Schuster

06/19/2020

Illinois' credit rating is just one notch above junk, the lowest of any U.S. state.

TAGS: borrowing, credit, Federal Reserve, JB Pritzker, Municipal Lending Facility

Federal Reserve throws credit lifeline to near-junk Illinois

By Adam Schuster

04/16/2020

The Federal Reserve announced unprecedented plans to directly purchase up to $500 billion in state and local government bonds. States with poorly managed finances, such as Illinois, stand to benefit most, but long-term threats loom without structural reforms.

TAGS: bonds, borrowing, coronavirus, COVID-19, credit rating, Federal Reserve, rainy day fund

Proposal: Make Illinois property taxes highest in the nation to pay state pension debts

By Austin Berg

05/16/2018

A proposal to levy a statewide 1 percent residential property tax would vault Illinoisans’ property tax burden to the highest of all 50 states.

TAGS: Federal Reserve, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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