U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Release of AZ Campaign Matching Funds

06/09/2010

A victory for Arizona taxpayers.

Tourism Grants – Spurring the Economy or Wasteful Spending?

06/09/2010

Rather than giving special benefits to a few specific tourist attractions, Illinois needs to consider new avenues for attracting tourists, such as decreasing the cost of visiting Illinois by lowering taxes.

Three Million Dollars to Manage DMVs

06/09/2010

by Mark Cavers In 2008, the state of Illinois employed 72 driver facility managers who made $3,365,732 in combined total wages. Driver facility managers are employees of the Illinois Secretary of State and responsible for the oversight of facility representatives in small and medium-sized downstate driver facility centers. The highest paid manager made $64,125 in 2008, and the average...

Transparency Victory in Quincy, Posts Employee Contracts

06/09/2010

On Monday, the council agreed to publish on the city

Bargaining for Better Schools: An Introduction to Collective Bargaining in Illinois Public Education

By Collin Hitt

06/08/2010

The Challenge The most important policy adopted by any school or school district is its contract with its teachers. Yet new and aspiring school board members in Illinois have few accessible guides to a collective bargaining process that will determine how teachers are hired, placed, compensated, rewarded and disciplined. A New Tool for Better Policy...

Institute on ABC Southern Illinois: State Barbers Make Big Bucks

06/07/2010

A new study released by the Illinois Policy Institute shows how much money you make doesn't depend on what you do for a living--it depends on who you work for.

Extended School Day Could Help Kids

06/07/2010

Chicago's public schools have a shorter school day than schools in New York, Los Angeles and practically every district in Illinois.

Illinois’s Tort Climate Ranked 4th Worst in the Country

06/04/2010

Illinois

Regulatory Roadblocks: Clearing the Path for Illinois Entrepreneurs

By Kate Campaigne Piercy

06/03/2010

The Problem Want to be a hair braider? Get a license. Already a pizza restaurateur? Raise your prices. Starting a business? First prove to the state there is a “need” for your product. Like flowers? Don’t even think about trying to sell them on the street—it’s not allowed. And, don’t dare try to start a...

The Disparity Between Public Sector and Statewide Salaries

06/03/2010

Historically, public employees have faced a trade-off: lower wages than the private sector in exchange for job security and generous benefits. That trade-off, however, has been disappearing.

Illinois

U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Release of AZ Campaign Matching Funds

Tourism Grants – Spurring the Economy or Wasteful Spending?

Three Million Dollars to Manage DMVs

Transparency Victory in Quincy, Posts Employee Contracts

Bargaining for Better Schools: An Introduction to Collective Bargaining in Illinois Public Education

Institute on ABC Southern Illinois: State Barbers Make Big Bucks

Extended School Day Could Help Kids

Illinois’s Tort Climate Ranked 4th Worst in the Country

Regulatory Roadblocks: Clearing the Path for Illinois Entrepreneurs

The Disparity Between Public Sector and Statewide Salaries

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