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

Illinois state income taxes: Who really pays?

By Michael Lucci

04/18/2016

The top 18 percent of Illinois taxpayers cover more than 60 percent of the state’s income taxes, and the state’s millionaires pay 15 percent of Illinois’ income taxes.

TAGS: graduated income tax, income tax, progressive income tax

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

Illinois House passes bill to suspend fines for late license-plate renewal

By Amy Korte

04/14/2016

The Illinois House has passed a bill to prohibit charging late fees to vehicle owners who renew their registration late due to the secretary of state’s suspension of mailed reminders.

TAGS: license plate

Illinois to allow trained ex-offenders to apply for barbering and cosmetology licenses before they leave prison

By Bryant Jackson-Green

04/12/2016

By allowing offenders to submit applications for barbering licenses within six months before release from prison, Illinois will reduce wait times for licensing – and reduce the likelihood those ex-offenders will return to crime. But more reforms are needed.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, occupational licensing

Illinoisans work 119 days to pay for government

By Craig Lesner

04/11/2016

Illinoisans must work from Jan. 1 until April 29 to pay the taxes they owe to federal, state and local governments.

TAGS: tax freedom day

Illinois bill allows courts to ban social media and demand access to accounts for juveniles charged with crimes

By Austin Berg

04/07/2016

Senate Bill 2871 would give courts in Illinois the ability to ban juveniles’ access to social media and require them to turn over passwords to law-enforcement officials.

Chicago students receive more state funding than the average Illinois student

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

04/07/2016

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool has claimed that Chicago students are discriminated against under the state's education funding formula. But the numbers show the opposite: Chicago has received more than its fair share of education funding from the state.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Illinois Supreme Court ruling could give state workers more retirement options

By Ted Dabrowski

04/06/2016

Concept of “consideration” allows state workers to negotiate for new benefits and could pave a path toward pension reform.

TAGS: Chicago, Illinois Supreme Court, pensions

Chicago lost more millionaires than any other U.S. city in 2015

By Michael Lucci

04/06/2016

Millionaires are playing a large role in the broader Chicago exodus.

TAGS: Chicago, income tax, outmigration

Chicago

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

Illinois state income taxes: Who really pays?

Illinois employers report 900 layoffs, including continued losses in manufacturing

Illinois House passes bill to suspend fines for late license-plate renewal

Illinois to allow trained ex-offenders to apply for barbering and cosmetology licenses before they leave prison

Illinoisans work 119 days to pay for government

Illinois bill allows courts to ban social media and demand access to accounts for juveniles charged with crimes

Chicago students receive more state funding than the average Illinois student

Illinois Supreme Court ruling could give state workers more retirement options

Chicago lost more millionaires than any other U.S. city in 2015

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