Illinois has highest black unemployment rate in the country

By Michael Lucci

12/13/2016

Illinois has had the nation’s highest black unemployment rate for 15 months in a row.

AFSCME turns to courts to delay Rauner contract, costing taxpayers millions

By Mailee Smith

12/09/2016

A judge in Cook County has issued a temporary restraining order halting a labor board decision that would allow the state to implement its contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The delay costs Illinois taxpayers over $1 million more each day in state-worker health coverage costs.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, labor

Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house

By Brendan Bakala

12/05/2016

Real reform to help overtaxed Illinoisans – such as a property-tax cap and aggressive government consolidation – would be the gift that keeps giving the whole year round.

TAGS: property taxes

Local corruption hits Chicago, suburbs and downstate communities

12/04/2016

November was a sad reminder of the corruption at various levels of Illinois government from retired House Speaker Denny Hastert to the small Village of Bellwood.

TAGS: corruption, good government

Madigan nears title of longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history

By Austin Berg

11/30/2016

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan told reporters he has “overwhelming support” to be re-elected to his longtime post come January. Another two-year term would bring his total tenure as speaker of the House to 34 years.

TAGS: House Speaker, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan

Chicago to tax businesses who use satellite TV

11/29/2016

Chicago City Council expanded its 9 percent amusement tax to include businesses subscribing to satellite television – another way to nickel and dime the most taxed residents in the state.

TAGS: amusement tax, Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, satellite tax, taxes

Village of Barrington to resist Cook County minimum wage hike

11/28/2016

The northwest suburb of Barrington passed an ordinance to allow local businesses to forgo Cook County’s minimum wage hike, which has the potential to be devastating for jobs in the county.

TAGS: Cook County, minimum wage

Workers’ compensation for state, county and municipal workers costs Illinois taxpayers $400 million per year

By Michael Lucci

11/28/2016

Workers’ compensation is a significant cost to Illinois taxpayers and drains scarce tax dollars from government coffers. Political and business leaders often view workers’ compensation as a costly regulation that affects private-sector investment and employment in Illinois.[1] This description is accurate yet incomplete. The same heavy costs imposed on private-sector employers[2] are also imposed on...

Madigan’s millions: Why the speaker should release his tax returns

By Austin Berg

11/16/2016

Every dollar Madigan earns back for his corporate clients makes someone else’s property-tax bill go up.

TAGS: income tax, Mike Madigan, property taxes, taxes

Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs

By Ben Ruddell, Bryant Jackson-Green

11/16/2016

Most people expect Illinois law enforcement to defend the private property of Illinois residents. As long as you obey the law, your life, liberty and property should be secure from the law – or so common sense would suggest. Yet, every year, Illinois law enforcement agencies take tens of millions of dollars in cash, vehicles,...

Cook County

Illinois has highest black unemployment rate in the country

AFSCME turns to courts to delay Rauner contract, costing taxpayers millions

Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house

Local corruption hits Chicago, suburbs and downstate communities

Madigan nears title of longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history

Chicago to tax businesses who use satellite TV

Village of Barrington to resist Cook County minimum wage hike

Workers’ compensation for state, county and municipal workers costs Illinois taxpayers $400 million per year

Madigan’s millions: Why the speaker should release his tax returns

Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs

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