Illinois bill would allow fast-food restaurants to accept food stamps

By Brad Weisenstein

07/19/2019

Homeless, disabled and elderly Illinoisans who can’t easily cook a meal could get help by using food stamps at fast-food restaurants.

TAGS: food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Tom Demmer

Craft liquor may catch on quicker if Illinois changes law

04/15/2019

Illinois House passes bill to open up opportunities for the craft distillery industry, freeing entrepreneurs to grow to meet growing demand.

TAGS: jobs, Jonathan Carroll, Liquor Control Act, Michael Zalewski, Tom Demmer

Illinois voters could eliminate townships that share city limits under bill

By Ben Paoletti

04/02/2019

Illinois townships often spend more on administration than services when they cover the same territory as a local municipality. One bill would make it easier for voters to change that.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, Tom Demmer, townships

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

Trio of licensing reform bills advance to House floor

By Vincent Caruso

04/13/2018

Three proposals that would ease occupational licensing restrictions have reached the House floor, passing unanimously out of committee.

TAGS: occupational licensing, Tom Demmer

House Dems OK $800 million in new spending after heated debate

By Greg Bishop

04/06/2017

Illinois has racked up $14 billion in unpaid bills.

TAGS: Bill Brady, Bruce Rauner, Greg Harris, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan, Patti Bellock, Robert Pritchard, Tom Demmer

Illinois lawmakers champion crowdfunding bill

By Michael Lucci

03/04/2015

This is an important step in outpacing neighboring states, and for embracing an innovative, entrepreneurial culture in Illinois.

TAGS: Carol Sente, collaborative economy, crowdfunding, Indiegogo, Kickstarter, Tom Demmer

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

Report Archive

Ian Holmes-White

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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