The people of Illinois – workers, entrepreneurs and business owners – have been held back by policy errors that have plagued the state for decades. But with the proper policy framework, the state can come back to life and lead the Midwest.

TAGS: jobs

Pension costs to consume 25 cents of every state-budget dollar in Illinois

By Benjamin VanMetre

02/05/2015

The state’s 2016 pension cost is projected to increase to nearly $8 billion – or 25 cents of every dollar the state spends during the next budget year.

TAGS: pensions

The 3 most powerful lessons learned from the 2011 tax hikes

By Michael Lucci

02/04/2015

Since the January 2011 tax hikes, Illinois’ recovery slowed down, the rest of the Midwest sped up and the rest of the U.S. significantly accelerated. The Great Lakes states performed in lockstep with how well they fostered the free-enterprise system.

TAGS: jobs

State of the state: What every Illinoisan should know about the social safety net

By Naomi Lopez Bauman

02/03/2015

The state’s complex and duplicative social-welfare system is punishing many of those who seek to move up the ladder of economic opportunity.

TAGS: welfare

Act locally: Right-to-Work zones can spark IL comeback

By Michael Lucci

02/02/2015

For Illinois’ downstate communities that have felt the pain of out-migration and need to revitalize their industrial base, a local Right-to-Work ordinance can be their first step to a comeback.

TAGS: jobs, labor, right to work, unions

New rules for IL General Assembly display politics as usual

By Jane McEnaney

02/01/2015

Among the changes is a new posting requirement that provides only a one-hour notice before a committee hearing, diminishing transparency and accountability.

Illinois’ best jobs month of the year, 2014 wrap up

By Michael Lucci

01/28/2015

An encouraging December helped pull the Land of Lincoln out of last place in the Midwest for 2014 jobs growth.

TAGS: employment, jobs

Bruce Rauner

Governments unions veer from mission in Illinois

Government unions bloated with overhead

You should have a choice on paying union fees

5 signs Illinois’ economy is failing, and 5 ways to fix it

Pension costs to consume 25 cents of every state-budget dollar in Illinois

The 3 most powerful lessons learned from the 2011 tax hikes

State of the state: What every Illinoisan should know about the social safety net

Act locally: Right-to-Work zones can spark IL comeback

New rules for IL General Assembly display politics as usual

Illinois’ best jobs month of the year, 2014 wrap up

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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