Illinois halts federal tax credits intended to boost business

By Ravi Mishra

11/20/2025

Illinois state lawmakers are severing new federal business tax cuts. Their quest to keep more cash will cost the state in business competitiveness.

Illinois lifts nuclear ban, but tightens grip on energy supply

By Ravi Mishra

10/31/2025

Lawmakers pass a bill to end the ban on large nuclear plants but include plans on expanding state control over energy.

70 tax, fee hikes in 15 years. $110B from Illinois taxpayers. More coming?

By Lauren Zuar

05/14/2025

Illinois leaders keep using tax hikes as a budget quick-fix, but the state’s fiscal troubles – and the taxpayer burden – persist. Here are the 70 tax and fee hikes state leaders have imposed during the past 15 years.

Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients

By Dylan Sharkey

05/17/2024

The Illinois Senate approved legislation banning four food additives, sending it to the House. Manufacturers will need to sell an alternate recipe in Illinois if the bill becomes law.

3 business groups say voters need to reject Amendment 1 to fix Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

10/31/2022

The Illinois Manufacturers Association president warned Amendment 1 would tie lawmakers’ hands from pursuing fiscal reform. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce president said it would decrease business investment and the Technology and Manufacturing Association of Illinois is worried about property tax increases.

TAGS: Amendment 1

Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko

12/22/2021

Government unions in Illinois have tremendous power. Most are allowed to go on strike and can bargain over virtually anything.1 It creates an uneven playing field, with unions able to demand costly provisions in their contracts and threaten to strike – denying Illinoisans needed services – to get what they want.2 Until recently, the potential...

Illinois aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030

By Patrick Andriesen

10/01/2021

The state’s newly adopted clean energy policy adds new incentives for electric vehicles and charging stations for buyers and manufacturers.

TAGS: clean energy, electric vehicles, Illinois, The Climate and Equitable Jobs

Illinois unemployment fund faces potential $8 billion deficit

By Patrick Andriesen

06/21/2021

Historic unemployment payouts related to the COVID-19 shutdowns left Illinois’ fund billions in the hole. State leaders did nothing to fix it, meaning there could be reduced benefits for the unemployed or higher taxes on employers trying to recover.

TAGS: deficit, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Madigan leaves trial lawyers with parting gift: up to 2 years of 9% interest

By Brad Weisenstein

01/26/2021

Lame duck lawmakers and the outgoing Illinois House speaker are trying to hand trial lawyers some extra cash. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is being urged to veto the bill.

TAGS: House Speaker, interest rates, Mike Madigan, tort

Workers’ comp costs hit Illinois’ blue-collar industries

By Vincent Caruso

12/19/2017

Exorbitant workers’ comp costs punish small businesses and send employers dashing to Illinois’ neighboring states.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, workers compensation

Illinois Manufacturers' Association

Illinois halts federal tax credits intended to boost business

Illinois lifts nuclear ban, but tightens grip on energy supply

70 tax, fee hikes in 15 years. $110B from Illinois taxpayers. More coming?

Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients

3 business groups say voters need to reject Amendment 1 to fix Illinois

Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

Illinois aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030

Illinois unemployment fund faces potential $8 billion deficit

Madigan leaves trial lawyers with parting gift: up to 2 years of 9% interest

Workers’ comp costs hit Illinois’ blue-collar industries

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