Don’t be fooled by ‘penny for schools’ tax

By Austin Berg

03/30/2017

A multibillion-dollar business based in Missouri — Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. — is making a pretty penny helping to hike local sales taxes across Illinois.

TAGS: CSFT: Illinois County School Facility Occupation Tax, penny tax, Stifel Nicolaus & Co.

Cook County has largest population loss of any county in the U.S.

By Michael Lucci

03/23/2017

Newly released census data show 89 of Illinois’ 102 counties, and most of the state’s metro areas, have shrinking populations due to out-migration.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau

CAT announces it will move corporate headquarters out of Peoria

By Austin Berg

01/31/2017

With Peoria and downstate reeling, the Caterpillar move comes at a time of persistent disinvestment in Illinois manufacturing.

TAGS: Caterpillar, Chicago, jobs, manufacturing, Peoria, workers compensation

For many Illinoisans, the next recession is already here

By Austin Berg

01/31/2017

Illinois lost 11,000 manufacturing jobs in 2016.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing

Our regrettable shrinking state

By Austin Berg

12/30/2016

The U.S. Census Bureau released new migration data Dec. 20, and it’s frightening. Illinois has a massive people problem. From July 2015 to July 2016, the state’s population declined by more than 37,000 people. That’s the worst population loss in the nation, and will likely mean the loss of a seat in the U.S. House...

TAGS: outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population

By Michael Lucci

12/20/2016

Illinois has record loss of 114,000 residents to other states in 2016 as population shrinks by 37,500.

TAGS: outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Chicago Airbnb hosts made $73 million in 2016, despite roadblocks by Chicago City Council, hotel lobby

By Brendan Bakala

12/20/2016

The Chicago market has grown to the third largest in the country, accounting for almost all of the more than $73 million in supplemental income in 2016.

TAGS: Airbnb, Chicago, collaborative economy, homesharing, regulations, sharing economy

Busting the myth that Chicago taxes are low

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/15/2015

An analysis of Chicago’s taxation and revenue in perspective

Bloomington and other Illinois cities should welcome ridesharing

03/02/2015

There’s no good reason for Bloomington's government to stand between drivers who want to offer this service and would-be customers who want to take advantage of it.

TAGS: Lyft, rideshare, Uber

86% of Illinois state lawmakers received money from major government unions since 2002

By David Giuliani

02/06/2015

House Speaker Mike Madigan received more than $1.1 million since 2002 from the state’s five major public unions.

Champaign

Don’t be fooled by ‘penny for schools’ tax

Cook County has largest population loss of any county in the U.S.

CAT announces it will move corporate headquarters out of Peoria

For many Illinoisans, the next recession is already here

Our regrettable shrinking state

Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population

Chicago Airbnb hosts made $73 million in 2016, despite roadblocks by Chicago City Council, hotel lobby

Busting the myth that Chicago taxes are low

Bloomington and other Illinois cities should welcome ridesharing

86% of Illinois state lawmakers received money from major government unions since 2002

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