New minimum wages in effect July 1 for Chicago, Cook County

By Dylan Sharkey

07/01/2022

Minimum wages for Chicago and Cook County are increasing July 1. Inflation has rapidly outpaced wage growth, cutting the average Illinoisan’s pay by $2,200.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, economy, inflation, minimum wage

Taxpayer pension costs exceeded Illinois projections by $13.7 billion since 2013

By Justin Carlson

06/17/2022

Unrealistic assumptions and missed investment returns have meant Illinois taxpayers paid $13.7 billion more for public pensions than state leaders projected five years earlier. Unless the estimates improve, taxpayers will pay an extra $21.3 billion during the next decade.

TAGS: debt, JB Pritzker, pension reform, pensions

Inflation leaves Illinoisans with $2,230 pay cut

By Jon Josko

06/10/2022

Consumer prices rose 8.6% in May. Illinois wage growth hasn’t kept up, leaving the average worker over $2,200 worse off.

TAGS: Illinois, inflation

Pandemic home values in Illinois rose at 3rd-slowest rate nationally

By Bryce Hill

06/08/2022

Illinois’ history of poor policy decisions left homeowners behind the pandemic era housing boom. Continuing the trend leaves homeowners more susceptible to future downturns.

TAGS: COVID-19, home values, Illinois

Cooling down an overheated US economy doesn’t have to be painful

By Orphe Divounguy

06/03/2022

As jobs growth and wage growth show signs of slowing, tax and regulatory changes could help prevent economic pain.

TAGS: economy, Federal Reserve, Illinois, inflation

Illinoisans see $2,200 pay cut thanks to inflation

By Bryce Hill

05/31/2022

Wages rose in Illinois, but inflation rose even more. That left the average worker almost $2,200 worse off.

TAGS: Illinois, inflation

Illinois’ state policy choices boost threat from potential U.S. recession

By Orphe Divounguy

05/27/2022

Illinois is already behind the national pandemic recovery. As the risk of recession increases, Illinoisans could fall farther behind.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, recession

If Illinois uses COVID-19 funds for operations, expect financial pitfall

By Patrick Andriesen

01/31/2022

A think tank advised Illinois leaders not to use temporary federal COVID-19 relief aid for on-going programs. It would lead to future funding shortfalls.

TAGS: American Rescue Plan, COVID-19, Illinois

Illinois among 20 states dragging down U.S. economic recovery

By Orphe Divounguy

12/03/2021

The pandemic caused the largest and shortest economic contraction in U.S. history. But as other states recovered, Illinois’ economy remained $17 billion below the pre-pandemic trend through the first half of 2021.

TAGS: COVID-19, economy, Illinois

Comptroller Mendoza’s plan aims to rebuild Illinois’ rainy-day fund

By Adam Schuster, Perry Zhao

08/27/2021

Automatic transfers into Illinois’ rainy-day reserves could help when another fiscal crisis similar to COVID-19 happens.

TAGS: rainy day fund

Federal Reserve System

New minimum wages in effect July 1 for Chicago, Cook County

Taxpayer pension costs exceeded Illinois projections by $13.7 billion since 2013

Inflation leaves Illinoisans with $2,230 pay cut

Pandemic home values in Illinois rose at 3rd-slowest rate nationally

Cooling down an overheated US economy doesn’t have to be painful

Illinoisans see $2,200 pay cut thanks to inflation

Illinois’ state policy choices boost threat from potential U.S. recession

If Illinois uses COVID-19 funds for operations, expect financial pitfall

Illinois among 20 states dragging down U.S. economic recovery

Comptroller Mendoza’s plan aims to rebuild Illinois’ rainy-day fund

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

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Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students