Illinois’ poor public policies continue to hammer the state’s business climate. This week the Tax Foundation released its 2013 State Business Tax Climate Index, confirming the state’s worsening position. Illinois dropped a full 13 places, to 29th, from 16th just since 2011.  Illinois now ranks worse than most of its neighbors. The Tax Foundation ranks states based on...

The nation’s unemployment rate increased to 7.9 percent in October from 7.8 percent in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If that number is a reflection of the country’s anemic recovery, consider the implications of Illinois’ 8.8 percent unemployment rate in September. There are more than 580,000 Illinoisans formally out of work. And these...