Great Recession

Budget Solutions 2016

02/18/2015
It’s the time for a comeback – one that is spurred by pro-growth policy reforms.

5 signs Illinois’ economy is failing, and 5 ways to fix it

By Michael Lucci
02/05/2015
The people of Illinois – workers, entrepreneurs and business owners – have been held back by policy errors that have plagued the state for decades. But with the proper policy framework, the state can come back to life and lead the Midwest.

TAGS: jobs

The 3 most powerful lessons learned from the 2011 tax hikes

By Michael Lucci
02/04/2015
Since the January 2011 tax hikes, Illinois’ recovery slowed down, the rest of the Midwest sped up and the rest of the U.S. significantly accelerated. The Great Lakes states performed in lockstep with how well they fostered the free-enterprise system.

TAGS: jobs

After 2 historic months of jobs growth, Illinois still lagging

By Michael Lucci
02/03/2015
The two months since the election have been the Land of Lincoln’s best stretch of employment growth in the post-recession era. But the state’s sudden job-creation steam will run out without a healthy fuel of economic-reform policies.

TAGS: jobs

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Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

Occupational licensing requirements present one of the steepest barriers to low-income Illinoisans starting careers in beauty services. Illinois requires anyone seeking to become a barber, cosmetologist, nail technician or hair braider to obtain a state license, essentially a permission slip to work. Unlike 45 other states, Illinois offers only one pathway to licensure for each...

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Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014

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

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016