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

By Michael Lucci

09/06/2016

Government jobs growth continues while Illinois’ private sector suffers from burdensome taxes and regulations.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs, state worker pay

Caterpillar announces 300 layoffs at Mossville facility

By Brendan Bakala

09/06/2016

The manufacturing company plans to reduce operations in Illinois.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, unemployment

Labor law 101: Understanding the basics

By Mailee Smith

09/02/2016

Familiarity with labor law terminology helps Illinoisans understand the impact of government-worker unions and the need for labor reform in the state.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, labor, unions

Administrative law judge: State and AFSCME are at partial impasse in contract negotiations

By Mailee Smith

09/02/2016

Illinois taxpayers have won a partial victory in the first round of impasse proceedings between the state and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, as the administrative law judge’s ruling puts the state closer to implementing its last contract offer to state AFSCME workers.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner

California court rules that pensions can be reformed going forward

By John Klingner

09/01/2016

Unlike the Illinois Supreme Court’s protection of the status quo, a California appeals court is allowing a pension reform law to move forward and potentially reduce that state’s pension burden.

TAGS: pensions

Illinois bill backlog expected to hit $14 billion

By Brendan Bakala

09/01/2016

Illinois’ unpaid bills could reach new highs by summer 2017.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Leslie Munger, unpaid bills

Illinois death tax hits family farms where it hurts

By Austin Berg

09/01/2016

Illinois’ estate tax only generates about $300 million in revenue, while potentially costing the state more than $1.5 billion in annual GDP growth.

TAGS: death tax, estate tax, property taxes, taxes

Number of six-figure Chicago pensioners has tripled in last 4 years

By Austin Berg

09/01/2016

More government workers are taking home massive yearly pension payments as Chicagoans are battered by tax hikes.

TAGS: Chicago, municipal pensions, pensions

Chicago Police Department cannot avoid requests for private emails under Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act

By Joe Tabor

08/31/2016

According to a ruling from Illinois’ attorney general, government employees cannot conceal work-related communication on private email, despite the Chicago Police Department’s arguments for it.

TAGS: CPD: Chicago Police Department, criminal justice reform, FOIA: Freedom of Information Act, police

Rauner signs bill to discourage incarceration for low-level offenders with no prior violent convictions

By Amy Korte

08/30/2016

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law Senate Bill 3164, which requires a court to review a presentencing report and explain why incarceration is appropriate prior to imposing a prison sentence on a Class 3 or Class 4 felony offender with no prior violent convictions.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, sentencing reform

Illinois

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

Caterpillar announces 300 layoffs at Mossville facility

Labor law 101: Understanding the basics

Administrative law judge: State and AFSCME are at partial impasse in contract negotiations

California court rules that pensions can be reformed going forward

Illinois bill backlog expected to hit $14 billion

Illinois death tax hits family farms where it hurts

Number of six-figure Chicago pensioners has tripled in last 4 years

Chicago Police Department cannot avoid requests for private emails under Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act

Rauner signs bill to discourage incarceration for low-level offenders with no prior violent convictions

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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