While politicians posture, Illinois industry is getting crushed

By Austin Berg

05/04/2017

The average cost of workers’ comp for steel workers among neighboring states is under $8 per $100 of payroll compared to nearly $12 in Illinois.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, workers compensation

Illinois Senate bill intended to kill local worker freedom laws in Illinois

By Amy Korte

05/03/2017

The Illinois Senate has passed a bill to overturn municipal Right-to-Work ordinances and prevent Illinois localities from expanding worker freedom in their communities.

TAGS: Ira Silverstein, labor, right to work, unions

5 consequences of Illinois’ bad budget deals

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

05/02/2017

Another Band-Aid budget deal won’t fix the financial problems that plague Illinois or stop the state’s credit rating from falling to junk.

TAGS: budget, credit rating

Decatur property taxes put the hurt on remaining residents

By Austin Berg

05/01/2017

With an average property tax bill of more than $2,000 a year, Decatur continues to hike taxes on a shrinking population.

TAGS: Decatur, property taxes

Illinois loses nearly 9,000 jobs on net in March; unemployment rate drops

By Michael Lucci

04/21/2017

Illinois lost jobs across several industries including construction, manufacturing, and professional and business services. The only employment category to see significant growth was leisure and hospitality.

TAGS: construction, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, manufacturing, unemployment

Chicago Teachers Union seeks more negotiating power, strike authority in HB 1253

By Mailee Smith

03/31/2017

While states surrounding Illinois are enacting labor reforms that benefit residents, Illinois remains a bastion of labor power. Now the Chicago Teachers Union wants even more power – including the broadened right to go on strike and strand parents and students.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, labor, unions

In Quad Cities, Illinois shrinks while Iowa grows

By Michael Lucci

02/22/2017

The communities in the Quad Cities are nearly identical, but Illinoisans are fleeing to Iowa’s side from the Land of Lincoln’s side, showing just how severe Illinois’ out-migration crisis is.

TAGS: collective bargaining, outmigration, population, taxes

Illinois last in jobs growth, first in manufacturing losses in 2016

By Michael Lucci

02/07/2017

Illinois continues to have the worst jobs growth in the region, and tax hikes will only make matters worse.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, outmigration, unemployment, workers compensation

Illinois now surrounded by Right-to-Work states

By Michael Lucci

02/06/2017

Missouri has become the 28th state to enact Right to Work, causing Illinois’ regional competitiveness to decline further.

TAGS: Eric Greitens, jobs, Missouri, outmigration, right to work, unions

Instead of a tax hike, consolidate Illinois’ 7,000 units of local government

By Brendan Bakala

01/26/2017

As lawmakers consider massive tax hikes on Illinoisans, they should look to consolidate nearly 7,000 units of local government and to cut their high administrative costs.

TAGS: education, local government consolidation, property taxes

Iowa

While politicians posture, Illinois industry is getting crushed

Illinois Senate bill intended to kill local worker freedom laws in Illinois

5 consequences of Illinois’ bad budget deals

Decatur property taxes put the hurt on remaining residents

Illinois loses nearly 9,000 jobs on net in March; unemployment rate drops

Chicago Teachers Union seeks more negotiating power, strike authority in HB 1253

In Quad Cities, Illinois shrinks while Iowa grows

Illinois last in jobs growth, first in manufacturing losses in 2016

Illinois now surrounded by Right-to-Work states

Instead of a tax hike, consolidate Illinois’ 7,000 units of local government

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit 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