Illinois companies announce nearly 1,000 mass layoffs in February, including almost 250 manufacturing jobs

By Brendan Bakala

03/07/2017

February saw the worst WARN report in seven months, with nearly 250 of the jobs lost coming from the manufacturing sector.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment, WARN

Illinois ended 2016 with highest black unemployment rate of any state

By Michael Lucci

03/02/2017

Illinois had the highest black unemployment rate of any state at the end of 2016, holding that distinction for six consecutive quarters, according to analysis by the Economic Policy Institute. The Land of Lincoln also has the largest gap between its white and black unemployment rates.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs, unemployment

Chicago officials announce $325K in TIF spending … on batting cages

By Chris Lentino

02/23/2017

The city’s latest taxpayer-funded development project reinforces the need to eliminate tax increment financing in favor of honest and transparent city budgeting.

TAGS: Chicago, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Tax increment financing: A primer

By Chris Lentino

02/21/2017

Local governments create TIF districts to encourage development in “blighted” areas; but TIFs often don’t deliver on promised economic benefits, while they do divert tax dollars from other uses and create opaque slush funds for the mayor to reward insider developers.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes, taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

4 reasons Illinois can’t weather another tax increase

By Michael Lucci

02/09/2017

Lawmakers need to look at the state’s major spending drivers instead of increasing taxes, which will continue to drive more people out of the state.

TAGS: budget, income tax, outmigration, taxes

Madigan’s millions: How the speaker sells his sway

By Austin Berg

02/08/2017

The speaker’s law firm makes millions in the clout-heavy game of Cook County property tax appeals.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, property taxes

Nearly 240 Cook County correctional officers call in sick for Super Bowl

By Brendan Bakala

02/06/2017

Super Sunday sees 239 corrections officers – or 19 percent of the staff assigned to work that day – call in sick despite pleas to officers ahead of time from the Cook County Sheriff’s office.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, police

Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.

By Brendan Bakala

02/02/2017

Illinois politicians burden the state’s residents with the highest combined state and average local sales tax rate in the Midwest, along with numerous other taxes and fees.

TAGS: sales tax, taxes

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.

Instead of a tax hike, consolidate Illinois’ 7,000 units of local government

By Brendan Bakala

01/26/2017

As lawmakers consider massive tax hikes on Illinoisans, they should look to consolidate nearly 7,000 units of local government and to cut their high administrative costs.

TAGS: education, local government consolidation, property taxes

Cook County

Illinois companies announce nearly 1,000 mass layoffs in February, including almost 250 manufacturing jobs

Illinois ended 2016 with highest black unemployment rate of any state

Chicago officials announce $325K in TIF spending … on batting cages

Tax increment financing: A primer

4 reasons Illinois can’t weather another tax increase

Madigan’s millions: How the speaker sells his sway

Nearly 240 Cook County correctional officers call in sick for Super Bowl

Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.

Budget Solutions 2018: Balancing the state budget without tax hikes

Instead of a tax hike, consolidate Illinois’ 7,000 units of local government

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