Illinois

Kankakee County superintendents behaving badly

By Brian Costin, Shawn Tonge
10/30/2014
It’s perfectly legal for people working for local government to engage in politics on their own free time, but if they are using taxpayer resources or facilities for political campaigns it can be a criminal act. A Freedom of Information Act investigation conducted by the Illinois Policy Institute has revealed potentially illegal activities being conducted...

TAGS: corruption, cronyism, Stifel Nicolaus & Co.

States on the move: 401(k)-style pension reform in Michigan

By Benjamin VanMetre
10/30/2014
Michigan was a trailblazer when it comes to 401(k)-style reform plans for government workers. In 1997, Michigan froze the state employees’ defined-benefit pension plan and created a self-managed 401(k)-style retirement plan for new state workers. It was the first state in the nation to enact bold reforms like these. Michigan state employees who started working...

TAGS: 401(k), Michigan, pensions

2015 State Business Tax Climate Index: Illinois drops to 31st

By Robert Steere
10/29/2014
Illinois’ burdensome tax climate for businesses will continue to hold the state back from creating jobs and growing the economy in 2015. The Tax Foundation issued its 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index, reporting that Illinois dropped two positions in the ranking since last year, to 31st from 29th. Prior to 2011, Illinois steadily ranked...

TAGS: taxes

Outside money pours into communities to pass sales-tax hikes

By illinoispolicy
10/29/2014
The public school district in Jacksonville, Illinois, is criticizing fellow Illinoisans for educating residents about a significant sales-tax increase proposal on the ballot – a tax increase that would drive up the cost of gas, clothes, prepared food, electronics and more. School district officials called the Illinois Policy Institute a “Chicago based” group, when we’re...

The top three things McHenry County taxpayers need to know about ‘free’ ObamaCare money

By Naomi Lopez Bauman
10/29/2014
The McHenry County Board recently took a brave stance by voting to reject “free” money for Affordable Care Act enrollment, but it’s unclear whether the board’s decision will stand. At issue is almost $585,000 in grant money that is being doled out by the state (but originated with the federal government) to the McHenry County...

Illinois’ true unemployment rate: 18.1 percent

By Michael Lucci
10/27/2014
The unemployment rate is a state’s most closely monitored indicator of economic health. The Illinois unemployment rate rose sharply through the Great Recession, and continues to fluctuate and trend downward as a result of both economic growth and a shrinking workforce. Illinois’ working-age adult population, from which the workforce is drawn, has grown by nearly...

Manufacturing a comeback

By Michael Lucci
10/27/2014
Illinois’ economy needs a real comeback to get the state back to work. To address what is needed for a sustainable recovery, policymakers should look at one of Illinois’ primary pain points: the manufacturing sector. The recession caused Illinois to lose 116,800 manufacturing jobs from January 2008-January 2010. After that, Illinois began a weak manufacturing...
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FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Illinois students could soon benefit from scholarship money to help them find a tutor, attend ACT or SAT prep sessions, pay tuition, get special education services or assist with other academic needs. That will happen in Illinois only if Gov. J.B. Pritzker lets the state’s schoolchildren benefit from the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, established...

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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