80% of Cook County municipalities have opted out of minimum wage, sick leave ordinances

By Amy Korte, Marianna Schmiesing

07/31/2017

The number of Cook County municipalities that have opted out of both ordinances has climbed to 107.

TAGS: Cook County, jobs, minimum wage

Illinois Republican spending plan includes millions of dollars for suburban projects

By John Kristof

06/28/2017

Affluent communities would receive millions in grants under a Republican spending plan.

TAGS: budget

More than 50 municipalities have opted out of Cook County’s minimum wage hike, sick days mandate

By Amy Korte

06/26/2017

Municipal leaders have expressed concerns about the anti-competitive, job-killing effects of Cook County’s minimum wage increases and new sick leave law and are using home rule authority to exempt their communities from the requirements.

TAGS: Cook County, jobs, minimum wage, unemployment

‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M

03/22/2017

Proposed legislation to commemorate former President Barack Obama’s birthday as a state holiday in Illinois would have cost taxpayers nearly $20 million in state personnel expenses and lost productivity.

TAGS: Barack Obama, Deb Conroy, Fred Crespo, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Martin Moylan, Michelle Mussman, Stephanie Kifowit, Sue Scherer

Illinois companies announce 650 mass layoffs in November

By Brendan Bakala

12/06/2016

Employers in the Land of Lincoln announced 650 mass layoffs in November, according to the November edition of the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, report. This report marks the first time since July 2015 that there wasn’t single mass-layoff announcement in the manufacturing sector. The types of jobs lost were spread across...

TAGS: Megabus, Mondelez International, Primesource, Ryder, WARN

The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan

By Austin Berg

10/07/2016

Just as Illinoisans elect state representatives, state representatives elect the speaker of the House every two years. To become the speaker, Madigan just needs a majority vote.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan

Illinois employers announced fewer large layoffs in April

05/09/2016

April saw nearly half the large layoffs March brought, and showed few major layoffs in the manufacturing sector.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment, WARN

Illinois employers report 900 layoffs, including continued losses in manufacturing

04/14/2016

Illinois’ March layoff report shows that almost a quarter of the 900 Illinoisans who will lose their jobs are manufacturing workers.

TAGS: jobs, WARN

Rauner allows Illinois township to eliminate itself

By Hilary Gowins

08/31/2015

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature authorizing Belleville Township to dissolve highlights a flawed process that prevents consolidation in a state that desperately needs it.

McLean County makes a mockery of Open Meetings Act

By Brian Costin

09/21/2014

In 2010, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously affirmed the right of citizens to speak at public meetings in stating: “Any person shall be permitted an opportunity to address public officials under the rules established and recorded by the public body.” In a sense, McLean County is complying with this state rule. In reality, county officials...

TAGS: good government, McLean County, Open Meetings Act, transparency

Buffalo Grove

80% of Cook County municipalities have opted out of minimum wage, sick leave ordinances

Illinois Republican spending plan includes millions of dollars for suburban projects

More than 50 municipalities have opted out of Cook County’s minimum wage hike, sick days mandate

‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M

Illinois companies announce 650 mass layoffs in November

The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan

Illinois employers announced fewer large layoffs in April

Illinois employers report 900 layoffs, including continued losses in manufacturing

Rauner allows Illinois township to eliminate itself

McLean County makes a mockery of Open Meetings Act

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