Full text: Gov. Rauner’s 2016 State of the State address

By illinoispolicy

01/27/2016

Transcript, provided by Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office, of his 2016 State of the State address, as prepared for delivery, to the General Assembly on January 27, 2016.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, State of the State

Illinois’ regional pain points revealed in county data on food-stamp dependency

By Michael Lucci

07/20/2015

Areas of Illinois that are driven by backbone industries such as manufacturing are being hollowed out. That reality is showing up in the form of government dependence.

TAGS: food stamps

Corruption Watch: January 2015

By Shawn Tonge

02/11/2015

The start of a new year always comes with resolutions for improvement, but only time will tell if they translate into effective action.

TAGS: good government

Brief details crushing weight of pension costs for Illinois municipalities

By Benjamin VanMetre

01/15/2015

More than 20 police and 10 fire pension funds were less than 30 percent funded in 2012.

TAGS: budget, IML: Illinois Municipal League, municipal government, taxes

Record 1.05 million Illinois households on food stamps this Thanksgiving

By Michael Lucci

11/30/2014

More and more households becoming dependent on food stamps reveals the true impact of Illinois’ sputtering economy.

TAGS: food stamps, jobs

7 of 10 Illinois metro areas are not recovering at all

By Michael Lucci

11/03/2014

Unemployment rates fell for most of Illinois’ metropolitan statistical areas in September, according to a press release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, seven out of 10 Illinois metro areas are not showing any signs of an economic recovery when it comes to putting people back to work. Champaign, Chicago and Springfield are showing...

TAGS: Chicago, jobs

Illinois out-migration a reflection of mistrust in state politicians

By Jim Long

05/09/2014

Half the Illinoisans surveyed in a recent Gallup poll said they’d like to move to another state. This attitude isn’t a new trend. Between 1995 and 2009, the state lost on a net basis more than 806,000 people to out-migration. As Illinois lost residents, it also lost out on a net of $26 billion in taxable...

Metropolitan area jobs crisis continues

By Michael Lucci

04/10/2014

Illinois’ 10 largest metropolitan areas continue to be plagued with joblessness, according to a release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This news comes on the heels of no monthly improvement in the state jobless rate, which at 8.7 percent is 2 points higher than the national average. Illinois has the second highest jobless rate...

Caterpillar layoffs a symptom of Illinois dire jobs climate

03/31/2013

Caterpillar Inc., one of the dozens of companies to receive special tax breaks after Illinois record 2011 income tax hike, recently announced plans to lay off more than 460 employees this June at its plant in Decatur.

TAGS: Caterpillar

Illinois behind on payments to funeral homes

01/31/2013

When destitute people die in Illinois, the state often pays for their funeral and burial expenses.

Kankakee

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s 2016 State of the State address

Illinois’ regional pain points revealed in county data on food-stamp dependency

Corruption Watch: January 2015

Brief details crushing weight of pension costs for Illinois municipalities

Record 1.05 million Illinois households on food stamps this Thanksgiving

7 of 10 Illinois metro areas are not recovering at all

Illinois out-migration a reflection of mistrust in state politicians

Metropolitan area jobs crisis continues

Caterpillar layoffs a symptom of Illinois dire jobs climate

Illinois behind on payments to funeral homes

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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