Power in payments: Illinois can help unbanked residents, save money by adopting best practices in payment methods

11/21/2019

Each year, tens of billions of dollars flow through Illinois state government.1 These flows all depend on methods of payment. In deciding on those payment methods, policymakers must consider a number of important factors, including security controls, cost effectiveness, accessibility, speed and allowance for choice. This report shows that by adopting best practices across all...

Tax hikes vs. reform: Why Illinois must amend its constitution to fix the pension crisis

By Adam Schuster

08/24/2018

Reforming future benefit growth via a constitutional amendment is the only way to ensure the retirement security of government workers, protect taxpayer budgets and fulfill the needs of Illinoisans reliant on core services.

Repeal Day: Illinois’ sobering alcohol taxes, regulations a reminder of Prohibition

By Vincent Caruso

12/05/2017

With the ratification of the 21st Amendment, 1933 marked the end of Prohibition in the United States. But that hasn’t stopped the Land of Lincoln from serving a cocktail of prohibitive regulations on alcoholic beverages.

TAGS: alcohol tax, regulations, taxes

Metro area unemployment: Which states are in reverse? Spotlight Illinois

07/13/2017

The U.S. unemployment rate is 4.4 percent, but unemployment varies widely among the nation’s 388 metro areas.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Alcohol bill aimed to help special interests, further status quo

04/10/2017

An amendment to Illinois’ longstanding Liquor Control Act creates curious guidelines that seem likely to favor a few specific Chicago businesses, while keeping the status quo intact for the rest.

TAGS: Beer Industry Fair Dealing Act, Frank Mautino, James Clayborne, Juliana Stratton, Liquor Control Act, liquor laws, Wine & Spirits Distributors of Illinois, Wine and Spirits Fair Dealing Act

SB 1288 could chip away at Illinois’ crony liquor laws

03/29/2017

A bill in the Illinois Senate would provide certain alcohol producers some freedom within the state’s three-tier system – which has been maintained through measures limiting competition and benefiting the politically connected.

TAGS: Dan McConchie, Liquor Control Act, liquor laws, regulations, three-tier system

Budget Solutions 2018: Balancing the state budget without tax hikes

By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner, John Klingner, Michael Lucci

01/31/2017

A set of structural reforms that protect taxpayers and put Illinois on the path to prosperity.

Madison County, Ill., to voters: Want to reduce your property taxes?

07/13/2016

A referendum allowing Madison County taxpayers to decide if they want to limit their tax burden is a choice all Illinoisans should have.

TAGS: property taxes, TABOR: Taxpayer Bill of Rights

Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget

By Hilary Gowins

06/30/2016

The stopgap budget compromise reached between the General Assembly and Gov. Bruce Rauner will fund government operations for the next six months and ensure that schools open on time in the fall.

Rauner’s ‘fair share’ executive order fights for the First Amendment

02/11/2015

Simple logic. Respect for rights. These are things Illinoisans are not used to seeing from their state government, so perhaps it’s understandable that some are having trouble understanding what Rauner has done and why he has done it.

TAGS: executive order, labor

Constitution

Power in payments: Illinois can help unbanked residents, save money by adopting best practices in payment methods

Tax hikes vs. reform: Why Illinois must amend its constitution to fix the pension crisis

Repeal Day: Illinois’ sobering alcohol taxes, regulations a reminder of Prohibition

Metro area unemployment: Which states are in reverse? Spotlight Illinois

Alcohol bill aimed to help special interests, further status quo

SB 1288 could chip away at Illinois’ crony liquor laws

Budget Solutions 2018: Balancing the state budget without tax hikes

Madison County, Ill., to voters: Want to reduce your property taxes?

Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget

Rauner’s ‘fair share’ executive order fights for the First Amendment

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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