With 517 laws passed last year, odds are some will help Illinois taxpayers in 2019

By Mindy Ruckman

12/19/2018

New Year brings new laws as the 100thGeneral Assembly ends. Here are a few wins for Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: Illinois General Assembly, law, licensing, local government consolidation, occupational licensing, pensions, regulations, school district consolidation

Restaurant group demands protection from food truck competition in Chicago

By Joe Barnas

11/23/2018

A trade organization is seeking to insulate the restaurant industry from competition in an Illinois Supreme Court battle over Chicago’s food truck regulations.

TAGS: food trucks, Illinois Restaurant Association, regulations

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

Revised law requires Illinoisans to upgrade smoke detectors by 2023

By Janelle Cammenga

09/27/2018

Revisions to the state’s smoke detector law include stricter safety standards, which will require many Illinois homes to buy new devices.

TAGS: Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, regulations, Smoke Detector Act

Rauner rejects bill aiming to squeeze out rental car competition

By Joe Barnas, Mindy Ruckman

08/31/2018

Using his amendatory veto authority, the governor blocked a proposal by the General Assembly that would have protected traditional rental car companies by stifling car-sharing startups.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, carsharing, Getaround, Maven, regulations, Turo

Small business owners give Illinois an ‘F’ in friendliness

By Vincent Caruso

08/20/2018

A recent survey found Illinois to be the least accommodating state in the nation for small businesses.

TAGS: EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, income tax, progressive income tax, regulations, sales tax, small business, tax credits, taxes

Rauner signs pro-growth bill restricting state regulators

By Mindy Ruckman

08/06/2018

State agencies can no longer pile rules and regulations onto Illinois businesses without first taking into account their economic effects.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, regulations, small business, Tom Cullerton

Illinois’ fireworks ban could land you in jail

By Joe Barnas

06/29/2018

Illinois remains one of only four states to impose severe restrictions on the purchase and use of consumer fireworks.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, fireworks ban, regulations

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

By Mindy Ruckman

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

Amid heavy ticketing, challenge to Chicago food truck regulations heads to Illinois Supreme Court

By Vincent Caruso, Joe Barnas

05/31/2018

Chicago’s regulatory roadblocks have derailed opportunity for the city’s food truck entrepreneurs. As a challenge to those restrictions reaches Illinois’ high court, the outcome of the case could be felt statewide.

TAGS: Chicago, CPD: Chicago Police Department, food trucks, Illinois Supreme Court, regulations

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

Gov. J.B. Pritzker inherited a $2.8 billion budget deficit the moment he stepped into office. Next year, that deficit is projected to be $3.4 billion1. It’s the same story every budget season. But Illinois’ budget crises could be a thing of the past if the state would adopt pension reform, right-size its union contracts and...

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Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

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Harry Jackson

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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