Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits
Chicago’s $1.15 billion projected budget gap is the latest in a decades-long string of structural deficits. Making Chicago’s high taxes worse is not the solution.
View ReportBruce Rauner
3 important criminal-justice reforms from 2015
In 2015, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law bills restricting the transfer of juvenile offenders to adult court, establishing rules for the use of body cameras by police, and creating an expedited process in Cook County to resolve cases involving certain low-level offenses.
Illinois lost more population than any other state last year
Of the 50 states, Illinois was the top population loser.
State drops child-neglect citation for mother who let her kids play outside
An inadequate-supervision case recently dropped by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services reveals why the department must reform its policies regarding what constitutes child neglect.
Food-stamp rolls still trump payrolls in Illinois
During its recovery from the Great Recession, Illinois has put seven people on food stamps for every six people added to employment rolls.
Madigan skips meeting with leaders, governor
Illinois has gone without a comprehensive budget for six months.
Weak November jobs report for Illinois shows spike in unemployment
New federal data show Illinois gained only 400 jobs in November, and its unemployment rate rose to 5.7 percent.
What’s wrong with Illinois’ economy?
Madigan’s economic record is one of failure, and the best he can say in his defense is that trying a new path would somehow make things worse.
Illinois jails incarcerate many people who don’t need to be there in the first place
Illinois jails book over 2.6 times the number of people they did in 1981, costing taxpayers money and keeping many people who have not yet been convicted of crimes behind bars.
State Rep. Cassidy reintroduces marijuana decriminalization bill
Twenty states and the District of Columbia have removed the threat of jail time for simple marijuana possession.
