Illinois Policy Institute sues over state law violating employers’ freedom of speech

By Patrick Andriesen

08/12/2024

Illinois law now forbids employers from discussing ‘religious or political matters’ with employees. The Illinois Policy Institute is suing because that restriction on its free speech threatens its ability to operate.

TAGS: free speech

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

Paul Vallas: Illinois’ real ‘State of the State’

By Paul Vallas

02/23/2024

Illinois is on an upward path, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during his State of the State speech. True, by some measures. Not so much by too many measures that matter.

Vallas: Ousting Chicago police from schools could boost violence

By Paul Vallas

01/25/2024

The Chicago Board of Education is limiting students’ education options and now is putting their safety at greater risk. Bowing to the Chicago Teachers Union’s ‘defund the police’ ideology can expose students to more violence.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

04/06/2023

No other state’s constitution or labor laws are like Illinois’ – broadly allowing government unions to override statutes simply by negotiating contrary provisions into collective bargaining agreements. Illinois may not be alone for long.

Illinois already has most extreme labor laws in U.S.

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

11/04/2022

Illinois law already allows some government union contracts to override state law. Amendment 1 would allow all government union contracts to do so.

TAGS: Amendment 1, labor, unions, workers rights amendment

Pritzker’s ‘Family Relief Plan’ offers Illinoisans $35 while inflation takes $90

By Perry Zhao

08/09/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker boasted about financial responsibility and sympathy towards working families, but the average family of three can expect to save only $35.52 per month as inflation eats away $90 from that family’s budget.

TAGS: Illinois Family Relief Plan, inflation, JB Pritzker

Biden may suspend federal gas tax as Pritzker sets up double hike for 2023

By Dylan Sharkey

06/23/2022

President Biden will call on Congress to suspend the federal gasoline and diesel tax for three months. Instead of suspending it, Gov J.B. Pritzker delayed the next motor fuel tax hike until after the election, hitting Illinois drivers with two hikes in 2023.

TAGS: Amendment 1, gas prices, gas tax, JB Pritzker, Joe Biden, taxes

Illinois’ state, local tax burden highest in Midwest after 2nd-largest increase in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

04/11/2022

The effective state and local tax burden in Illinois has risen from 11.2% in 2019 to 12.9% in 2022. It is now the nation’s seventh highest.

TAGS: Illinois, tax burden

Hot real estate market mostly missed Illinois, ranking 48th for new homes

By Bryce Hill

02/28/2022

Illinois saw new residential building permits in 2021 issued at one of the slowest rates in the nation. The rest of the U.S. saw real estate booming.

TAGS: housing market, Illinois, real estate

Connecticut

Illinois Policy Institute sues over state law violating employers’ freedom of speech

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Paul Vallas: Illinois’ real ‘State of the State’

Vallas: Ousting Chicago police from schools could boost violence

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

Illinois already has most extreme labor laws in U.S.

Pritzker’s ‘Family Relief Plan’ offers Illinoisans $35 while inflation takes $90

Biden may suspend federal gas tax as Pritzker sets up double hike for 2023

Illinois’ state, local tax burden highest in Midwest after 2nd-largest increase in U.S.

Hot real estate market mostly missed Illinois, ranking 48th for new homes

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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