AFSCME’s actions show union unwilling to negotiate contract taxpayers can afford

By Mailee Smith

04/28/2016

AFSCME’s push for HB 580, which would allow a panel of unelected arbitrators to draft a binding contract between the state and the union, is the latest power play in AFSCME’s long and uncompromising battle for pay hikes and benefits that could cost Illinois taxpayers more than $3 billion.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees

Short-term state funding won’t fix Illinois’ systemic higher-education crisis

By John Klingner

04/27/2016

Illinois’ public colleges and universities used to be affordable, but schools have increased tuition from 74-112 percent over the last decade to help pay for administrative hiring sprees and skyrocketing pensions.

TAGS: higher education, pensions, SURS: State Universities Retirement System

Labor board finds CTU’s April 1 strike likely illegal

By Jeffrey Schwab

04/27/2016

The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board determined there is enough evidence of the illegality of CTU’s April 1 walkout for CPS to pursue a court order to prevent CTU from waging any similar strikes.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education

AFSCME impasse hearings: Understanding the timeline, process and potential outcomes

By Mailee Smith

04/26/2016

Given AFSCME’s and the Rauner administration’s disagreement on core contract issues – such as wage freezes and merit pay – and the likely appeal of any impasse decision reached by the administrative law judge, a final determination on whether AFSCME and the Rauner administration have reached impasse will probably not come until well into the summer – or beyond.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees

4 statements reveal that Cullerton doesn’t understand Illinois’ workers’ compensation system

By Michael Lucci

04/22/2016

Illinois has the most expensive system in the Midwest for workers' compensation.

TAGS: John Cullerton, workers compensation

Illinois House passes occupational-licensing reform bill

04/21/2016

HB 5937 prohibits the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation from barring former offenders from working in these areas unless their crimes directly relate to the occupations for which they seek licenses. A job is crucial to preventing repeat offenses: Nearly half of ex-offenders in Illinois end up back behind bars within three years, but ex-offenders who are employed a year after release can have a recidivism rate as low as 16 percent.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, occupational licensing, reentry

Jobs report: Illinois’ March jobs growth near top of rankings in Midwest

By Michael Lucci

04/19/2016

Illinois gained 14,700 payroll jobs on net in March, and compared relatively well with other states in the region for the month, trailing only Ohio in monthly jobs growth. Despite this growth, however, the unemployment rate increased to 6.5 percent. The state also lost 3,100 manufacturing jobs on net.

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

Comptroller announces paycheck delays for Illinois politicians, state officials

04/18/2016

Total compensation for affected legislators and statewide officeholders equals about $1.3 million per month, according to the comptroller. On top of salaries, taxpayers also have to foot the bill for lawmaker pensions – in Illinois’ active legislators will each cost the state budget about $180,000 next year.

TAGS: lawmaker pay, Leslie Munger

6 reforms to end Illinois’ perpetual budget crisis

By Donna Arduin

04/15/2016

Illinois needs a combination of constitutional and statutory changes to put and keep the state on sound fiscal footing and allow it to pay its providers and better prepare for emergencies.

TAGS: budget

Bruce Rauner

AFSCME’s actions show union unwilling to negotiate contract taxpayers can afford

Short-term state funding won’t fix Illinois’ systemic higher-education crisis

Labor board finds CTU’s April 1 strike likely illegal

AFSCME impasse hearings: Understanding the timeline, process and potential outcomes

Jobs are the ultimate crime stoppers

4 statements reveal that Cullerton doesn’t understand Illinois’ workers’ compensation system

Illinois House passes occupational-licensing reform bill

Jobs report: Illinois’ March jobs growth near top of rankings in Midwest

Comptroller announces paycheck delays for Illinois politicians, state officials

6 reforms to end Illinois’ perpetual budget crisis

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