Strong Illinois jobs report in October, but manufacturing losses continue

By Michael Lucci

11/20/2015

New federal jobs data reveal Illinois gained 14,100 jobs overall during October, but lost 1,900 manufacturing jobs during this time.

TAGS: employment, jobs, manufacturing

Illinois’ low-income and blue-collar workers are the worst-paid in the region

By Michael Lucci

11/16/2015

Although Illinois’ top earners make more than most of their regional counterparts, Illinois’ bottom quarter of earners have the lowest wages in the Midwest

TAGS: manufacturing, workers compensation

Busting the myth that Chicago taxes are low

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/15/2015

An analysis of Chicago’s taxation and revenue in perspective

Ford set to invest $1.1B in Chicago-area plants

By Austin Berg

11/12/2015

While thousands of Chicago-area Ford employees rejoice over news of long-term stability, many more Illinois manufacturing workers face joblessness.

TAGS: employment, manufacturing

Moody’s: Chicago laggard in economic growth

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/12/2015

A new report by Moody’s Investors Service details Chicago’s weak economic growth and increasing government-worker pension obligations.

Wage difference: Illinois is a hub for white-collar jobs, but blue-collar workers are better off in Indiana

By Michael Lucci

11/09/2015

Recent federal jobs data show that white-collar professionals are more numerous and earn more money in Illinois than in Indiana, but that Indiana, a Right-to-Work state, has more and better-paying jobs for blue-collar workers than does Illinois, which has forced unionization.

TAGS: right to work

Illinois taxes are not low when entire picture is seen

By Michael Lucci

11/03/2015

In her recent opinion piece, Innovation Illinois’ Elizabeth Austin misrepresented the facts in order to claim Illinoisans don’t pay high taxes: “My View: Illinois OK when right tax info is compared.” As the state budget battle wages on, it’s important for taxpayers to be armed with accurate information. Austin claimed that so far in the...

TAGS: progressive income tax, taxes

Illinois still has the highest workers’ compensation costs in the region – by far

By Michael Lucci

10/29/2015

A new study reveals that Illinois has the highest workers’ compensation costs in the Midwest and the seventh highest in the United States.

TAGS: manufacturing, workers compensation

Illinois would have 84,000 more manufacturing jobs had it kept up with neighboring states

By Michael Lucci

10/26/2015

Illinois’ manufacturing sector’s recovery from the Great Recession has lagged behind the recoveries of nearby states, demonstrating the need for bold, pro-growth reforms to set Illinois back on the path to success.

TAGS: manufacturing, property taxes, right to work, workers compensation

Illinois’ September 2015 jobs report: Businesses lay off thousands of blue-collar workers

By Michael Lucci

10/20/2015

Illinois continues to shed jobs and underperform economically compared to its Midwestern neighbors, according to new federal and state reports.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs, labor force participation rate, manufacturing, property taxes, unemployment, workers compensation

Indiana

Strong Illinois jobs report in October, but manufacturing losses continue

Illinois’ low-income and blue-collar workers are the worst-paid in the region

Busting the myth that Chicago taxes are low

Ford set to invest $1.1B in Chicago-area plants

Moody’s: Chicago laggard in economic growth

Wage difference: Illinois is a hub for white-collar jobs, but blue-collar workers are better off in Indiana

Illinois taxes are not low when entire picture is seen

Illinois still has the highest workers’ compensation costs in the region – by far

Illinois would have 84,000 more manufacturing jobs had it kept up with neighboring states

Illinois’ September 2015 jobs report: Businesses lay off thousands of blue-collar workers

Who Lives Below the Poverty Line in Illinois? Family Structure and Education Mark the Highest Risk

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