Illinois

Chicago unemployment rate 5th highest of nation’s 49 largest metro areas

By John Klingner
06/02/2014
Illinois politicians want to make things worse for the many Chicagoans struggling to find jobs and make ends meet. They’re calling for state, county and local tax hikes on the city that already has one of the worst metro area unemployment rates in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gov. Pat...

Why Illinois doesn’t need mandatory labeling for genetically modified food

By Bryant Jackson-Green
06/02/2014
Should food producers be forced to label genetically modified, or GM, goods? It’s a trend that’s been popping up in states across the country, with laws now on the books in Maine and Connecticut. The possibility has been raised in Illinois, too, with a Senate bill under discussion that would require foods with even one...

Illinois legislators try to resurrect unconstitutional ‘Amazon tax’

06/02/2014
Last October, the Illinois Supreme Court struck down the state’s “Amazon tax,” a state law that would have forced many online retailers to pay Illinois taxes regardless of whether they had any physical presence in the state. Now, despite this ruling, some legislators are trying to bring back this tax. The “Amazon tax” required Amazon...

Oklahoma pension reform: 401(k)-style plans for new state workers

05/31/2014
In a step toward meaningful pension reform, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation that ends the state’s traditional pension retirement system for newly hired state employees in favor of a 401(k)-style retirement plan. Teachers and state workers designated “hazardous duty” including firefighters and law enforcement officers are exempt. And the legislation does not change the...

ObamaCare Navigator Grants in Illinois

By Bobby Shaw
05/31/2014
Perhaps there is good reason that Illinoisans don’t place much confidence and trust in their elected officials. A nonbinding resolution that would have called for oversight of federal ObamaCare Navigator funds being spent by the state couldn’t muster enough support to make it out of committee this month. State Rep. Darlene Senger’s resolution, House Resolution...

Online transparency measures advance in Illinois

By Brian Costin
05/30/2014
A key portion of the Institute’s 10-Point Transparency Checklist, the posting of audits online, has made its way through the Illinois General Assembly. House Bill 5503 passed both Illinois House and Senate unanimously, and now awaits the governor’s signature. If signed into law by the governor, HB 5503, introduced by state Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon,...

Illinois metro areas a long way from jobs recovery

By Michael Lucci
05/30/2014
Illinois’ metropolitan statistical areas are a long way from jobs recovery, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The release shows that Danville, Decatur and Rockford are still plagued with double-digit joblessness. All 10 of Illinois’ metro areas have jobless rates above the national average. Despite economic improvement and jobless rates falling nationally,...

Illinois paid more than $12 million in health costs for dead people

By Naomi Lopez Bauman
05/30/2014
Rather than push for true Medicaid reform that might ensure patient access to high quality care and protect taxpayer dollars, Gov. Pat Quinn is about to sign legislation that will further prop up this failing system. As evidence of just how dysfunctional the system is, Auditor General William Holland reported that the state paid $12 million for dead...

Illinois proposes potential damaging rules on brew pubs

By Justin Hegy
05/29/2014
On May 14, one day before the official start of Chicago Craft Beer Week, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, or ILCC, proposed a harsh new cap on the amount of beer Illinois’ brew pubs would be allowed to sell. Under the proposed rules, a brew pub would not be allowed to sell more than 50,000...

TAGS: craft beer

Illinois House defeats soda tax

By Bryant Jackson-Green
05/28/2014
Illinois lawmakers have voted down a proposal that would have imposed a $0.01 per-ounce tax on soft drinks sold in the state of Illinois. According to the Illinois Manufacturers Association, the tax would have added $2.88 to the cost of a case of soft drinks. It would also have added to the already-heavy regulatory burden...
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Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

Leaders of these organizations on the South and West sides connect residents to jobs and engage youth to build safer neighborhoods.

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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