Coalition kicks cronies in Springfield showdown over car-sharing

By Austin Berg

11/29/2018

The car-sharing victory is real business friendliness. And that means Illinoisans – whether or not they ever rent their car through an app – have cause for a little celebration.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, carsharing, Getaround, Pam Althoff, Turo, veto

Senate overrides Rauner veto on bill proposing new car-sharing taxes, regulations

By Vincent Caruso

11/15/2018

Senate lawmakers overrode Gov. Rauner’s veto of a lobbyist-backed bill aiming to sideswipe car-sharing startups with new taxes and regulations. The bill returns to the House.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, carsharing, Getaround, Illinois Senate, Pam Althoff, Turo

Senate bill would strike car-sharing startups with new taxes, regulations

By Vincent Caruso

11/14/2018

With lobbyist backing, lawmakers passed a bill in May aimed at driving out competitors for rental car companies. Gov. Bruce Rauner rejected the bill, but lawmakers could revive it during veto session.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Getaround, Pam Althoff, regulations, Turo

En route to Rauner’s desk: Victories for licensing reform, regulatory rollback and axing golden parachutes

06/19/2018

Nearly 600 bills are on their way to the governor, some of which would be encouraging changes to the status quo.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Carol Sente, criminal justice reform, Dan McConchie, Illinois Tollway, occupational licensing, Pam Althoff, Paul Schimpf, regulations, Thomas Cullerton, transparency

Trio of occupational licensing bills en route to governor’s desk

By Vincent Caruso

05/23/2018

A series of occupational licensing reform bills making their way out of the General Assembly would help more Illinoisans enter the workforce.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Chuck Weaver, criminal justice reform, occupational licensing, Pam Althoff, Rita Mayfield

Senate bill would require regulators to jump more hurdles before imposing new licensing restrictions

By Vincent Caruso

05/07/2018

Regulatory regimes in Illinois often discourage workforce participation without enhancing public welfare. One Senate bill, however, would require regulators to demonstrate the necessity of new rules before imposing them on workers.

TAGS: Chicago, food trucks, licensing, Lisa Creason, occupational licensing, Pam Althoff, regulations, Scott Bennett, Tom Demmer

Capital One received more than $20 million in tax breaks from Illinois in 2015

By Brendan Bakala

05/02/2017

The state agreed to the tax credits in exchange for Capital One hiring 210 new employees and retaining 900.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Business and Employment Development Tax Credit Act, cronyism, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, jobs, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Natalie Manley, Pam Althoff, tax credits, Transforming Helping and Reviving Illinois’ Versatile Economy

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