AFSCME funnels union dues to Mike Madigan

By Mailee Smith

09/27/2018

State records show AFSCME Council 31 funnels membership dues into its political action committee, which just gave a record-breaking $767,800 donation to Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, campaign finance, Janus v. AFSCME, Mike Madigan

Illinois’ economy shed 5,200 jobs in August, the first drop in 2018

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Suman Chattopadhyay

09/23/2018

Illinois experienced net job losses in August, while the rest of the nation saw continued growth on average.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

State lawmaker falsely claims progressive tax ‘not mine to vote for’

By Chris Lentino

09/13/2018

At least one lawmaker is attempting to avoid responsibility for one of the most important policy issues in the state.

TAGS: graduated income tax, progressive income tax, Stephanie Kifowit, taxes

53 representatives sign on to letter opposing progressive tax

By Chris Lentino

09/06/2018

Taxpayers across Illinois oppose a progressive tax but many state lawmakers still refuse to stand up against House Speaker Mike Madigan’s progressive tax push.

TAGS: graduated income tax, income tax, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, taxes

Cursive mandate greets Illinois elementary school students this fall

By Vincent Caruso

08/21/2018

Lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto of a 2017 bill mandating cursive instruction in all public elementary schools in Illinois. That measure becomes law this year.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Chris Welch, ISFRC: Illinois School Funding Reform Commission

State of Illinois confirms new budget is out of balance by $1.2B

By Adam Schuster

08/21/2018

Despite claims from some state lawmakers that the fiscal year 2019 budget is balanced, official reports to bond buyers admit a deficit of more than $1 billion.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, credit rating, GOMB: Governor's Office of Management and Budget, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan, spending cap

Illinoisans could see license suspended for texting while driving under new state law

By Vincent Caruso

08/21/2018

A new state law could result in a suspended license for drivers operating handheld electronic devices while behind the wheel.

TAGS: Cristina Castro, Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, John D’Amico, suspended license, transportation

Rest of the nation sees 31 percent faster jobs growth vs. Illinois in 2018

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

08/17/2018

Illinois experienced its sixth consecutive month of jobs growth in July, yet continues to trail the pace of growth in the rest of the nation for 2018.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, income tax, jobs, manufacturing, progressive income tax, taxes, unemployment

Illinois metro areas gain 14,200 jobs in June

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

07/28/2018

While a majority of Illinois metro areas experienced expanding payrolls in June, the state still lags the nation in post-recession jobs growth.

Illinois jobs growth spikes in June, double the growth of the rest of the U.S.

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

07/20/2018

Illinois added 18,100 new jobs in June, the highest monthly increase since summer 2017, but the Prairie State still lags behind the rest of the nation for the post-recession period.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, credit rating, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, income tax, jobs, spending cap, taxes, unemployment

Illinois House of Representatives

AFSCME funnels union dues to Mike Madigan

Illinois’ economy shed 5,200 jobs in August, the first drop in 2018

State lawmaker falsely claims progressive tax ‘not mine to vote for’

53 representatives sign on to letter opposing progressive tax

Cursive mandate greets Illinois elementary school students this fall

State of Illinois confirms new budget is out of balance by $1.2B

Illinoisans could see license suspended for texting while driving under new state law

Rest of the nation sees 31 percent faster jobs growth vs. Illinois in 2018

Illinois metro areas gain 14,200 jobs in June

Illinois jobs growth spikes in June, double the growth of the rest of the U.S.

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