The Land of Lincoln’s job-killing policies are hurting minority communities increasingly hard, while black unemployment in pro-growth states remains significantly lower.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Illinois state workers have options if they wish to opt out of a union

By Mailee Smith

08/19/2016

Illinois state workers can opt out of union membership to become fair share payers, but reforms such as Right to Work and Worker’s Choice would promote greater worker freedom and benefit the state.

COGFA report points to manufacturing as cause of Illinois’ high unemployment

By Michael Lucci

08/17/2016

Illinois’ weak manufacturing recovery from the Great Recession has led to the Land of Lincoln’s having the worst unemployment rate among nearby and neighboring Rust Belt states.

TAGS: manufacturing, workers compensation

Budget estimates fall as Illinois hits slowest economic growth since Great Recession

By Michael Lucci

08/14/2016

Illinois’ slow economic growth, made worse by out-migration, needs to be addressed in order to tackle the state’s budgetary problems.

TAGS: budget, COGFA: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, GDP: gross domestic product, outmigration, personal income, taxes

Rosemont mayor to receive 53 percent pay hike — to $260,000 a year

08/13/2016

Trustees in Rosemont, Ill., voted to hike their mayor’s salary to $260,000 – a 53 percent raise.

TAGS: Brad Stephens, local government, Rosemont

Illinois state rep calls delayed lawmaker pay ‘extortion and corruption’

By Austin Berg

08/09/2016

State Rep. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago, criticized payment delays for Illinois politicians, despite the fact that his compensation cost taxpayers nearly $100,000 in 2015.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, John Cullerton, lawmaker pay, Leslie Munger, Mike Madigan, Robert Martwick

Great Recession

Illinois employers announce 1,044 layoffs in August

Despite budget impasse, state government, health care and social services employment grow

Caterpillar announces 300 layoffs at Mossville facility

Food-stamp fraud and prevalence signs of a struggling state

Illinois has highest black unemployment rate in U.S.

Illinois state workers have options if they wish to opt out of a union

COGFA report points to manufacturing as cause of Illinois’ high unemployment

Budget estimates fall as Illinois hits slowest economic growth since Great Recession

Rosemont mayor to receive 53 percent pay hike — to $260,000 a year

Illinois state rep calls delayed lawmaker pay ‘extortion and corruption’

Who Lives Below the Poverty Line in Illinois? Family Structure and Education Mark the Highest Risk

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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