Illinois metro areas yield slight jobs gain in January, but weak long-term trends persist

By Bryce Hill

03/16/2018

Combined jobs growth was slightly positive across Illinois’ metro areas in January. But only four metro areas have recovered the jobs they lost during the Great Recession.

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

McHenry County realtors face daunting task – selling homes with sky-high property tax bills

By Amanda McDonald

03/01/2018

Local realtors are having a difficult time convincing clients not only to move to the county, but to stay.

TAGS: McHenry County, property taxes

Despite high tax bills, Des Plaines City Council buys theater for $1.3M

By Austin Berg

02/26/2018

Local leaders are putting taxpayers on the hook for a development gamble.

TAGS: property taxes

When Illinois home values fall, but property taxes don’t

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

02/12/2018

If an Illinois worker takes a pay cut during a recession, she knows the state isn’t going to take an even bigger chunk out of her paycheck. That’s because the state income tax rate stays the same. But if her home loses value, too, she could still see her property tax bill go up. Government...

Building fairness and opportunity: The effects of repealing Illinois’ prevailing wage law

By Orphe Divounguy

12/07/2017

Illinois’ Prevailing Wage Act has no place in the 21st century. Policymakers should enact fair and competitive construction laws that give all individuals who are willing to work a fighting chance.

How one Illinois law jacks up the cost of government while harming construction sector employment

By Orphe Divounguy

12/06/2017

Illinois state lawmakers could stimulate employment and lower costs for overburdened taxpayers by repealing the state’s outdated prevailing wage law.

TAGS: construction, jobs, prevailing wage, regulations

Danville officials propose monthly fee of $22-85 for pensions in addition to property tax hike

By Brendan Bakala

11/30/2017

A new city proposal would have owners of Danville property pay fees of up to $1,020 a year just for public safety pensions.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

CEO survey ranks Illinois’ business climate third-worst in the nation

By Brendan Bakala

11/30/2017

Illinois has been ranked third-to-last for business friendliness in three straight surveys of CEOs.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, deficit, economic competitiveness, investment, jobs, pensions

Small Business Saturday: Illinois’ business climate is unkind to the little guy

By Amanda McDonald

11/22/2017

A high cost of doing business and little reason to hope for reform can be enough for Illinois’ small businesses to look elsewhere for success.

TAGS: small business, workers compensation

This Thanksgiving, nearly 1M Illinois households forced to rely on food stamps

By Vincent Caruso

11/21/2017

The failure of lawmakers to enact policies that spark growth will render millions of Illinoisans dependent on assistance for meals this holiday season.

TAGS: food stamps, SNAP

Great Recession

Illinois metro areas yield slight jobs gain in January, but weak long-term trends persist

McHenry County realtors face daunting task – selling homes with sky-high property tax bills

Despite high tax bills, Des Plaines City Council buys theater for $1.3M

When Illinois home values fall, but property taxes don’t

Building fairness and opportunity: The effects of repealing Illinois’ prevailing wage law

How one Illinois law jacks up the cost of government while harming construction sector employment

Danville officials propose monthly fee of $22-85 for pensions in addition to property tax hike

CEO survey ranks Illinois’ business climate third-worst in the nation

Small Business Saturday: Illinois’ business climate is unkind to the little guy

This Thanksgiving, nearly 1M Illinois households forced to rely on food stamps

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