The unintended consequences of a Chicago credit-check ordinance have harmed young and black workers, and show why lawmakers should focus on repealing the laws preventing employment for Illinoisans, rather than creating new ones.

TAGS: employment

Governments in Illinois can take your property without charging you with a crime

By Jeffrey Schwab, Bryant Jackson-Green

03/29/2016

A court decision involving the government’s seizure of more than $270,000 from two Chicagoans highlights major problems with civil asset forfeiture.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, criminal justice reform

Reforms that get ex-offenders back to work – and keep them out of jail – could save Illinois millions

By Bryant Jackson-Green

03/28/2016

Even a very small reduction in recidivism – just 5 percent – would save Illinois taxpayers nearly $187 million over nine years. But if Illinois’ recidivism rate stays the same, taxpayers will pay approximately $5.7 billion for recidivism costs over the next five years.

TAGS: criminal justice reform

Madigan’s middle class: Pain for the many, perks for the few

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/26/2016

Middle-class Illinoisans who aren’t employed by the government are suffering, but Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan stands in the way of solutions.

Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

By Michael Lucci

03/25/2016

Census data are sounding a warning signal that Chicago and Illinois policy leaders don’t necessarily want to hear.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population

Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling

By Chris Lentino

03/25/2016

In an effort to shore up pension debt, Chicago officials in 2014 adopted a pension-reform package that included raising the telephone tax. Though the Illinois Supreme Court struck down these changes, the tax hike remains.

TAGS: taxes

Illinois

Job creation finally besting food-stamp enrollment in Illinois

The debt never paid: Re-entry reforms for Illinois

Teachers’ rights: What if someone doesn’t want to participate in CTU’s 1-day strike on April 1?

Not forgiven, not forgotten: The injustice of Illinois’ scarlet letters

Chicago ordinance with good intentions makes job-seeking harder for applicants who are young or black

Governments in Illinois can take your property without charging you with a crime

Reforms that get ex-offenders back to work – and keep them out of jail – could save Illinois millions

Madigan’s middle class: Pain for the many, perks for the few

Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

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