State of the state: What every Illinoisan should know about the social safety net

By Naomi Lopez Bauman

02/03/2015

The state’s complex and duplicative social-welfare system is punishing many of those who seek to move up the ladder of economic opportunity.

TAGS: welfare

State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about public education in IL

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/03/2015

High levels of spending and a one-size-fits-all educational system have not been able to boost student achievement in Illinois.

TAGS: education

After 2 historic months of jobs growth, Illinois still lagging

By Michael Lucci

02/03/2015

The two months since the election have been the Land of Lincoln’s best stretch of employment growth in the post-recession era. But the state’s sudden job-creation steam will run out without a healthy fuel of economic-reform policies.

TAGS: jobs

Illinois government employees take home inflated pay

By Austin Berg

02/03/2015

Illinois’ state-government compensation ratio – in other words, what state employees are paid relative to the state’s private-sector workers – is two-thirds higher than the national average.

TAGS: budget, spending

Act locally: Right-to-Work zones can spark IL comeback

By Michael Lucci

02/02/2015

For Illinois’ downstate communities that have felt the pain of out-migration and need to revitalize their industrial base, a local Right-to-Work ordinance can be their first step to a comeback.

TAGS: jobs, labor, right to work, unions

New rules for IL General Assembly display politics as usual

By Jane McEnaney

02/01/2015

Among the changes is a new posting requirement that provides only a one-hour notice before a committee hearing, diminishing transparency and accountability.

IL government workers trapped in failing pension funds; other states give workers options

By Benjamin VanMetre

01/29/2015

Utah passed a 401(k)-style reform plan in 2011. The state’s pension funds had a 50 percent chance of becoming insolvent by 2028 prior to the state’s reform plan – but the reform dropped that chance to 10 percent.

TAGS: 401(k), state worker pay

An economic profile of Right-to-Work states

By Paul Kersey

01/28/2015

Illinois’ economy is floundering, and conditions will get worse without decisive action.

Illinois’ best jobs month of the year, 2014 wrap up

By Michael Lucci

01/28/2015

An encouraging December helped pull the Land of Lincoln out of last place in the Midwest for 2014 jobs growth.

TAGS: employment, jobs

Amazon tax revenues provide opportunity to repeal the death tax

By Michael Lucci

01/27/2015

The Amazon tax is estimated to bring in more than $200 million in additional annual tax revenue to the state, an amount that is likely to grow. This provides a perfect opportunity to repeal Illinois’ death tax to offset the new revenue growth.

TAGS: death tax

Illinois

State of the state: What every Illinoisan should know about the social safety net

State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about public education in IL

After 2 historic months of jobs growth, Illinois still lagging

Illinois government employees take home inflated pay

Act locally: Right-to-Work zones can spark IL comeback

New rules for IL General Assembly display politics as usual

IL government workers trapped in failing pension funds; other states give workers options

An economic profile of Right-to-Work states

Illinois’ best jobs month of the year, 2014 wrap up

Amazon tax revenues provide opportunity to repeal the death tax

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