Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

By John Tillman

07/04/2022

We too often call it the “Fourth of July” and lose sight of its true meaning – independence. Independence from tyranny and the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.

Illinois’ fireworks ban limits liberty, hurts job growth

06/21/2022

Illinoisans celebrate Independence Day by taking their fireworks business to other states, despite bans and threats at home, causing the state to lose out on jobs and revenue.

TAGS: fireworks

High fuel taxes worsen Illinois families’ pain from inflation

06/13/2022

Illinois’ record-high fuel prices mean consumers pay more for everyday items. Pritzker’s 2019 doubling of gas, diesel, and natural gas taxes are partly to blame.

TAGS: gas prices, gas station, gas tax, inflation

IRS data confirms Illinois is losing residents, wealth flight at record pace

By Bryce Hill

05/26/2022

Illinois lost more than 100,000 residents and $8.5 billion on net in adjusted gross income to other states from 2019-2020, according to new federal tax return data. Those leaving earned $31K more than those coming in.

TAGS: Illinois, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, outmigration, population

Neighbor states pursue real tax reform as Pritzker offers election-year gimmicks

By Justin Carlson

05/03/2022

While Illinois settles for Pritzker’s temporary relief that mostly expires after the November election, its neighbor states are making long-term changes to help grow their economies.

TAGS: Illinois, Midwest, taxes

Illinois’ 2nd-highest gas taxes drive motorists, business across state lines

By Patrick Andriesen

04/19/2022

Drivers save 45 cents a gallon on gas by filling up at a station across the state line in Missouri, thanks to Illinois boosting gas taxes to No. 2 in the U.S. Gas station owners said Illinois drivers are filling up in other states.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

Illinois’ state, local tax burden highest in Midwest after 2nd-largest increase in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

04/11/2022

The effective state and local tax burden in Illinois has risen from 11.2% in 2019 to 12.9% in 2022. It is now the nation’s seventh highest.

TAGS: Illinois, tax burden

After two years of COVID-19, Illinois jobs growth seriously lags nation

By Bryce Hill

03/17/2022

Employment in nearly all of Illinois’ major industries are still lagging other states two years after the initial COVID-19 shutdowns rocked the economy.

Illinois last in Midwest to lift statewide mask mandate

By Patrick Andriesen

02/14/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker will end the statewide indoor mask mandate for most Illinoisans Feb. 28, joining the 39 other states who have already lifted COVID-19 restrictions on residents. Illinois will be the only state in the Midwest still mandating masks in schools at the state level.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, mask mandate

Illinois jobs recovery worst in Midwest, 8th-worst in nation

By Bryce Hill

02/04/2022

With 251,900 jobs still missing since the pandemic began, Illinois’ job market is the least recovered among Midwestern states

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, jobs

Indiana

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

Illinois’ fireworks ban limits liberty, hurts job growth

High fuel taxes worsen Illinois families’ pain from inflation

IRS data confirms Illinois is losing residents, wealth flight at record pace

Neighbor states pursue real tax reform as Pritzker offers election-year gimmicks

Illinois’ 2nd-highest gas taxes drive motorists, business across state lines

Illinois’ state, local tax burden highest in Midwest after 2nd-largest increase in U.S.

After two years of COVID-19, Illinois jobs growth seriously lags nation

Illinois last in Midwest to lift statewide mask mandate

Illinois jobs recovery worst in Midwest, 8th-worst in nation

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