John Tillman: Statement on the Janus v. AFSCME decision

By John Tillman

06/27/2018

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision today in Janus v. AFSCME, confirming that forced union fees are unconstitutional.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining, Janus v. AFSCME, labor, unions

Illinois sees fourth straight month of jobs growth in May

By Bryce Hill

06/19/2018

Illinois’ jobs situation improved in May, but the state needs long-term solutions such as a spending cap to get on a path to fiscal health and assure investors more tax hikes are not on the horizon.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

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

State government watchdogs remain far too tame

By Austin Berg

06/14/2018

Illinoisans shouldn’t have to wait for yet another humiliating scandal to fix what’s wrong here: Politicians should have no place in policing their own oversight.

TAGS: #metoo, Lou Lang, Mike Madigan, sexual harrassment

Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers

By Adam Schuster

06/14/2018

It is time to give taxpayers and businesses the certainty they need to plan a long-term future in the state.

For Speaker Madigan, when do drips become a flood?

By Austin Berg

06/07/2018

A few brave souls have come forward with their stories about the behavior under Madigan’s dome. But how many still feel powerless?

TAGS: Alaina Hampton, Bruce Rauner, Kevin Quinn, Marty Quinn, Mike Madigan, sexual harrassment, Shaw Decremer, Tim Mapes

General Assembly passes bill expanding medical marijuana access as opioid alternative

By Eddie Damstra

06/07/2018

Lawmakers in Springfield are seeking to offer patients with debilitating conditions the option to replace opioids with medical marijuana.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, marijuana

Taxpayers, reformers at a structural disadvantage in Illinois budgeting

By John Tillman

06/05/2018

Yes, the state has a budget. But how that budget came to be reveals the reasons our state continues to spend with abandon, tax too much and fail in fostering an economy where its people can prosper.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget

Rauner signs spending plan into law

By Adam Schuster

06/04/2018

While it’s the closest the state has come to passing a balanced budget in years, Illinois’ new spending plan leaves a lot to be desired for taxpayers.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, Bruce Rauner, budget, spending, spending cap

Bill amending prohibitive liquor licensing law goes to governor’s desk

06/04/2018

The measure would relax statewide restrictions on liquor licensure and encourage local control.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, licensing, Liquor Control Act, liquor laws, small business

Bruce Rauner

John Tillman: Statement on the Janus v. AFSCME decision

Illinois sees fourth straight month of jobs growth in May

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

State government watchdogs remain far too tame

Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers

For Speaker Madigan, when do drips become a flood?

General Assembly passes bill expanding medical marijuana access as opioid alternative

Taxpayers, reformers at a structural disadvantage in Illinois budgeting

Rauner signs spending plan into law

Bill amending prohibitive liquor licensing law goes to governor’s desk

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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