Illinois ranks second-last when it comes to reopening bars and restaurants

By Joe Barnas

06/25/2020

A study from WalletHub ranks Illinois 50th-most severe on COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants. 233,500 jobs were lost in that sector since February.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, reopen, stay at home order

Pritzker forced to withdraw criminal penalties for small business owners who defy his order

By Brad Weisenstein

05/20/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker rescinded the rule that could have put defiant business owners in jail for up to a year. He first imposed it when his authority to close them during the pandemic was challenged.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, reopen, small business

Opposition to Pritzker’s lockdown spreading rapidly

By Brad Weisenstein

05/15/2020

Opposition to Pritzker’s order is growing, as small business owners sue to challenge the governor’s ability to order them into ruin.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, reopen, small business, stay-at-home

Pritzker threatens to use state police against businesses reopening early

By Ben Szalinski

05/13/2020

Polling has found the vast majority of Illinoisans support reopening small retail businesses.

TAGS: coronavirus, covid, economy, executive order, illinois state police, JB Pritzker, reopen

3-in-4 Illinoisans support reopening small businesses immediately

By Ben Szalinski, Brad Weisenstein

05/13/2020

Small businesses have struggled since their doors were forced to close March 21. A new poll shows 75% of Illinoisans want them to be allowed to reopen now.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economy, executive order, JB Pritzker, reopen, small business

4 problems with Pritzker’s reopening plan

By Amy Korte

05/11/2020

‘Restore Illinois’ is short on details about when and how Illinoisans can get back to work.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economy, executive order, JB Pritzker, reopen

To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s power over Illinois politics is more precarious than ever. A steady stream of federal investigations, wiretaps and raids of people close to him, a deferred prosecution agreement with Commonwealth Edison wherein the utility giant admitted to bribing the speaker, and a grand jury subpoena served to Madigan’s office have led...

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To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

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Craig Richardson: Batter & Berries

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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