Two Illinois border states revoke governors’ mask mandates

By Laura Bianchi

04/08/2021

High courts in Wisconsin and Michigan have both ruled governors cannot repeatedly issue disaster declarations as a basis for mask mandates and other orders without legislative approval. A year into the pandemic, Illinois’ governor is still doing it.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, lockdown, Michigan, reopen, Wisconsin

Up to 140,000 able-bodied Illinoisans may need jobs to get food stamps in 2020

By Vincent Caruso

12/05/2019

Just Cook County food stamp recipients were facing work requirements Jan. 1 if they were under age 50, able-bodied and had no dependents. Now the rules will apply throughout Illinois starting April 1.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, Donald Trump, food stamps, Foundation for Government Accountability, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, job creation, jobs, labor force participation rate, Michigan, National Conference of State Legislatures, regulations, small business, SNAP, Springfield, tax burden, unemployment, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Illinois bill would slow transition from lawmaker to lobbyist

By Joe Tabor

11/26/2019

Most states require a wait before lawmakers become lobbyists. Recent federal probes point out the need for Illinois to do the same.

TAGS: cooling off period, corruption, Florida, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Kansas, lawmakers, lobbying, Michigan, revolving door, Springfield

Michigan becomes latest Illinois neighbor to repeal prevailing wage mandate

By Eddie Damstra

06/08/2018

Michigan nixed a law mandating inflated wages for public construction projects. The Prairie State should follow suit.

TAGS: construction, Michigan, prevailing wage

Foxconn to open new plant in Michigan

By John Kristof

08/09/2017

The announcement comes on the heels of the manufacturing giant’s decision to invest in Wisconsin.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, manufacturing, Michigan, right to work, Wisconsin

Michigan introduces 401(k)-style plan for teachers

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/16/2017

With the successful passage of 401(k)-style pension reform in Michigan’s state legislature, Illinois lawmakers should examine their own growing pension crisis and pursue bolder reforms to stabilize the state’s finances.

TAGS: 401(k), Michigan, pensions

Illinois’ neighboring states boast better credit ratings, economies

By Kevin Angell

06/16/2017

Illinois’ credit rating spirals downward while residents flee to surrounding states with stronger economies and lower taxes.

TAGS: credit rating, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, outmigration, population, Wisconsin

Michigan reforms to retiree benefits upheld in 6-0 state Supreme Court decision

04/10/2015

Illinois lawmakers now have at least one model on which to base necessary reforms.

TAGS: Michigan, pensions

Blue steel: Illinois’ manufacturing exodus continues

By Austin Berg

04/02/2015

Workers’ compensation costs are killing Illinois steel.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dwight Kay, Indiana, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Kyle McCarter, manufacturing, Michigan, Selvaggio Steel, T&B Steel Tubing, United States Steel Corp., workers compensation

Manufacturing employment in Illinois has stagnated and even shrunk while Indiana and Michigan have boomed

By Michael Lucci

03/24/2015

Manufacturing employment in Illinois has stagnated and even shrunk while Indiana and Michigan – neighboring Right-to-Work states – have boomed.

TAGS: Michigan, right to work

Chicago’s hidden housing solution: How additional dwelling unit expansion can make city more affordable

Chicago’s 2020 Additional Dwelling Unit Ordinance, while well-intentioned, has stifled development. Despite 71% of Chicagoans being in favor of putting additional dwelling units on existing residential lots – higher than the national average – restrictive and inequitable regulations have ensured very few are built.1 Only 44% of pre-approved applications have received building permits since the...

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Chicago’s hidden housing solution: How additional dwelling unit expansion can make city more affordable

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Joseph Miscimarra

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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