How licensing puts the hurt on lower-income Illinoisans, entrepreneurs

By Amy Korte

12/05/2017

In Illinois, a cosmetologist must complete 350 days of educational training, but an EMT can be licensed after just 37.

TAGS: occupational licensing, regulations

Repeal Day: Illinois’ sobering alcohol taxes, regulations a reminder of Prohibition

By Vincent Caruso

12/05/2017

With the ratification of the 21st Amendment, 1933 marked the end of Prohibition in the United States. But that hasn’t stopped the Land of Lincoln from serving a cocktail of prohibitive regulations on alcoholic beverages.

TAGS: alcohol tax, regulations, taxes

Interstate shipping ban chills Illinois wine business, ices out wine consumers

By Vincent Caruso

11/30/2017

Prohibition died in 1933, but alcohol-related cronyism is alive and well.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Chicago, liquor laws, regulations

In a tough year, some new Illinois laws to welcome

11/26/2017

While 2017 was a bad year for Illinois taxpayers, there are bright spots among the bills that passed the General Assembly.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, expungement, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, IMRF: Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, local government consolidation, municipal pensions, pensions, record sealing

Record sealing, expungement have the power to reduce crime, benefit Illinois’ economy

By Orphe Divounguy, Joe Tabor

11/26/2017

In 2017 the Illinois General Assembly passed two bills that can improve employment outcomes for ex-offenders, potentially reducing crime and saving millions of dollars.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, expungement, record sealing

More needless referendums to crowd Chicago ballot in 2018

By Chris Lentino

11/22/2017

Chicago City Council continues its tradition of putting popular but toothless measures on the ballot to protect incumbent power and block real reform.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, Rahm Emanuel

Illinoisans’ no good, very bad year

By Austin Berg

11/16/2017

The biggest obstacle Illinoisans face in Springfield remains the same: an all-powerful House speaker, and members of both parties who are all too eager to kowtow.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, income tax, Mike Madigan

Illinois General Assembly passes cursive writing mandate

11/08/2017

Despite the potential for imposing new costs on school districts, Illinois lawmakers overrode Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto on a bill mandating cursive writing instruction.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Chris Welch, education

House again fails to ban local Right to Work

By Mailee Smith

11/07/2017

The Illinois House’s failure to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto is a victory for local leaders trying to attract good jobs for their communities.

TAGS: local government, right to work

House considers legislation to remove criminal penalty from SB 1905

By Mailee Smith

11/04/2017

An amendment has been filed in the Illinois House of Representatives that would remove language making local government officials criminals simply for enacting Right-to-Work laws. But significant problems remain.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Martin Moylan, right to work

Bruce Rauner

How licensing puts the hurt on lower-income Illinoisans, entrepreneurs

Repeal Day: Illinois’ sobering alcohol taxes, regulations a reminder of Prohibition

Interstate shipping ban chills Illinois wine business, ices out wine consumers

In a tough year, some new Illinois laws to welcome

Record sealing, expungement have the power to reduce crime, benefit Illinois’ economy

More needless referendums to crowd Chicago ballot in 2018

Illinoisans’ no good, very bad year

Illinois General Assembly passes cursive writing mandate

House again fails to ban local Right to Work

House considers legislation to remove criminal penalty from SB 1905

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