Right to Work is surrounding Illinois

By Michael Lucci

02/24/2015

As neighbors and regional peers move to foster business growth, Illinois is being left behind.

TAGS: jobs, right to work

Illinois lawmaker introduces bill to kill death tax

By Michael Lucci

02/22/2015

Dollar for dollar, the death tax is likely the most economically harmful tax levied in Illinois.

TAGS: death tax, jobs

5 signs Illinois’ economy is failing, and 5 ways to fix it

By Michael Lucci

02/05/2015

The people of Illinois – workers, entrepreneurs and business owners – have been held back by policy errors that have plagued the state for decades. But with the proper policy framework, the state can come back to life and lead the Midwest.

TAGS: jobs

The 3 most powerful lessons learned from the 2011 tax hikes

By Michael Lucci

02/04/2015

Since the January 2011 tax hikes, Illinois’ recovery slowed down, the rest of the Midwest sped up and the rest of the U.S. significantly accelerated. The Great Lakes states performed in lockstep with how well they fostered the free-enterprise system.

TAGS: jobs

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address

By illinoispolicy

02/04/2015

Gov. Bruce Rauner's State of the State Address. February 4, 2015

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

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

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

Report prescribes expired medicine for state’s fiscal sickness

By Jonelle Lesniak

01/22/2015

Revenues will not solve the problem. Illinois lawmakers need to look at spending.

TAGS: budget, IGPA: Institute of Government and Public Affairs, Institute of Government and Public Affairs, taxes

Indiana

Right to Work is surrounding Illinois

Illinois lawmaker introduces bill to kill death tax

5 signs Illinois’ economy is failing, and 5 ways to fix it

The 3 most powerful lessons learned from the 2011 tax hikes

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address

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

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

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

Amazon tax revenues provide opportunity to repeal the death tax

Report prescribes expired medicine for state’s fiscal sickness

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students