Chicago area up 241K jobs, rest of Illinois down 41K jobs from before recession

By Austin Berg

01/21/2020

Illinois’ uneven recovery reflects national trends, but also raises important questions about the state’s economic future ahead of a key tax hike vote.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, capital gains, Chicago, corporate income tax, economic competitiveness, economy, graduated income tax, Great Recession, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, investment, JB Pritzker, labor, minimum wage, outmigration, population, progressive income tax, real estate, recession, Springfield, tax hikes, tax increase

A decade after recession, Illinois’ construction industry is ice cold

By Austin Berg

12/05/2019

Why is Illinois construction so weak? As it turns out, big government programs can’t paper over weak fundamentals.

TAGS: Bureau of Economic Analysis, construction, Erin Guthrie, gas tax, Great Recession, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker, Luis Arroyo, Martin Sandoval, minimum wage, outmigration, Pat Quinn, progressive income tax, property taxes, Springfield, U.S. Census Bureau

Doubled gas tax creates losers in Illinois, winners across state lines

By Brad Weisenstein, Ben Szalinski

08/21/2019

Station owners said Illinois businesses were damaged July 1 when the gasoline tax doubled. Tax increases are keeping Illinois pumps quiet and cooling cigarette sales.

TAGS: gas tax, minimum wage, taxes

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

Pritzker’s first year deficit $440 million larger than expected because he plans to spend $440 million more

By Adam Schuster

02/19/2019

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said his first year deficit is $3.2 billion, but he intends to spend hundreds of millions more than planned under previous baseline budgeting.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, deficit, GOMB: Governor's Office of Management and Budget, JB Pritzker, minimum wage, spending, spending cap

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

Statewide $15 minimum wage hike clears Illinois Senate, advances to House

By Vincent Caruso

02/07/2019

As Pritzker’s minimum wage bill advances to the House, the new administration’s first major victory may come with a $1.1 billion price tag, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: employment, jobs, minimum wage, unemployment

$15 minimum wage hike to cost Illinois taxpayers $1.1B

By Vincent Caruso

02/06/2019

As Pritzker’s minimum wage bill advances to the Senate floor for a vote, the new administration’s first major victory would come with a $1.1 billion price tag, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

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