Despite years of taxpayer subsidies, rail car manufacturer Nippon Sharyo has closed its Rochelle plant – pointing to a reality some politicians don’t want to face.
Occupational licensing requirements present one of the steepest barriers to low-income Illinoisans starting careers in beauty services. Illinois requires anyone seeking to become a barber, cosmetologist, nail technician or hair braider to obtain a state license, essentially a permission slip to work. Unlike 45 other states, Illinois offers only one pathway to licensure for each...