Caterpillar HQ leaving for Texas, decade after CEO warned Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

06/15/2022

One of the state’s biggest employers is relocating their headquarters to Irving, Texas. A decade ago Caterpillar’s CEO warned state leaders of business losses unless they balanced the budget, controlled workers’ comp costs and cut taxes. He was ignored.

TAGS: Caterpillar, jobs, outmigration, taxes

Madigan subpoena shows far reach of federal investigation

07/20/2020

The Illinois House speaker was implicated in criminal charges filed against electrical company ComEd.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, federal investigation, Mike Madigan

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

By Austin Berg

11/11/2019

Government corruption is nothing new for Illinoisans. Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, according to research by the University of Illinois-Chicago. And corruption costs the state economy more than $550 million per year. What is new? Powerful Illinois lawmakers, Chicago aldermen, local mayors and business interests are involved in what appears to be...

Nearly 1 in 3 joint filers in Deerfield, Riverwoods, Bannockburn would see income tax hike if voters approve Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

By Bryce Hill, Chena Underhill

10/15/2019

Voters statewide will decide whether 2,299 Deerfield, Riverwoods and Bannockburn taxpayers should send $56 million in additional income taxes to Springfield.

TAGS: Deerfield, fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes

56 Illinois state lawmakers have refused to take a pension

02/08/2019

Illinois’ 101st General Assembly can be leaders in pension reform by passing a constitutional amendment that allows for changes to future, unearned benefits.

TAGS: 401(k), GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, lawmaker pay, pension guarantee, pensions, taxes

As nation celebrates small businesses, Illinois politicians take them for granted

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

11/19/2018

A history of tax hikes to prop up unsustainable spending makes Illinois a frosty climate for small businesses.

TAGS: employment, jobs, progressive income tax, small business, spending cap, taxes

Sears files for bankruptcy despite decades of Illinois tax breaks

By Janelle Cammenga

10/16/2018

Sears, a long-time beneficiary of Illinois tax credit programs, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

TAGS: bankruptcy, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, pensions, Sears, Sears Centre, tax credits

Manufacturer to shutter 2 Illinois plants, open $26M Indiana facility

By Vincent Caruso

09/19/2018

Accepting a deal that includes $6 million in subsidies, Wynright Corporation will expand its operations in Indiana and close plants in suburban Elk Grove and Oak Lawn.

TAGS: Indiana, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, jobs, manufacturing, outmigration, unemployment

One of Illinois’ top tax credit recipients to shutter 1,000-employee HQ

By Austin Berg

09/11/2018

Illinois issued more than $60 million in EDGE tax credits to Takeda Pharmaceuticals from 2003 to 2013, more than any other company received over that time.

TAGS: EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, jobs, tax credits, unemployment

Chicago loses Mars Wrigley US candy headquarters bid to New Jersey, takes 200 jobs with it

By Vincent Caruso

12/06/2017

A year after announcing the Mars Wrigley Confectionery project, the candy giant will scrap its plans to expand its Chicago presence and instead encamp in Newark, New Jersey.

TAGS: Chicago, jobs, Rahm Emanuel

Deerfield

Caterpillar HQ leaving for Texas, decade after CEO warned Illinois

Madigan subpoena shows far reach of federal investigation

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

Nearly 1 in 3 joint filers in Deerfield, Riverwoods, Bannockburn would see income tax hike if voters approve Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

56 Illinois state lawmakers have refused to take a pension

As nation celebrates small businesses, Illinois politicians take them for granted

Sears files for bankruptcy despite decades of Illinois tax breaks

Manufacturer to shutter 2 Illinois plants, open $26M Indiana facility

One of Illinois’ top tax credit recipients to shutter 1,000-employee HQ

Chicago loses Mars Wrigley US candy headquarters bid to New Jersey, takes 200 jobs with it

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