How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

04/06/2023

No other state’s constitution or labor laws are like Illinois’ – broadly allowing government unions to override statutes simply by negotiating contrary provisions into collective bargaining agreements. Illinois may not be alone for long.

Illinois already has most extreme labor laws in U.S.

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

11/04/2022

Illinois law already allows some government union contracts to override state law. Amendment 1 would allow all government union contracts to do so.

TAGS: Amendment 1, labor, unions, workers rights amendment

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

By Joe Tabor

08/17/2022

Published Aug. 17, 2022 Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension...

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 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

By Bryce Hill

01/14/2022

Illinoisans fled at a record pace in 2021. The state lost 122,460 residents on net because of moves to other states.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population

Moving vans leave Illinois at over 9-times rate of other Midwestern states

By Bryce Hill

12/22/2021

Illinois suffered the largest population decline in the Midwest and of neighboring states during 2021.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population

Illinois unemployment accounts repeatedly hijacked by thieves

By Patrick Andriesen

08/06/2021

Unemployment benefits are being stolen by thieves who redirect the funds. Repeat victims say the problem is within Illinois Department of Employment Security computers, but the state won’t release data to pinpoint the problem.

Illinois’ state budget practices earn poor marks from fiscal watchdog

By Justin Carlson

07/15/2021

A Volcker Alliance report on truth and integrity in state budgeting finds Illinois lacking. Debt, budget gimmicks and thin reserve funds gave the state poor marks.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker

School closures keep over 28,000 Illinois moms out of work

By Orphe Divounguy

05/07/2021

States that have re-opened schools have also increased labor force participation of mothers, evidence suggests.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, Mother's Day, public schools

2021 State of the State: Illinois economy weak before COVID-19

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

01/31/2021

Illinois’ weak economic foundations and fiscal mismanagement were preexisting conditions that caused it to suffer a deeper COVID-19 downturn. They will also hurt its recovery.

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, recession, State of the State

Kansas

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

Illinois already has most extreme labor laws in U.S.

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Illinois last in Midwest to lift statewide mask mandate

Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

Moving vans leave Illinois at over 9-times rate of other Midwestern states

Illinois unemployment accounts repeatedly hijacked by thieves

Illinois’ state budget practices earn poor marks from fiscal watchdog

School closures keep over 28,000 Illinois moms out of work

2021 State of the State: Illinois economy weak before COVID-19

Solutions for vacant lots would reduce crime and poverty in Chicago

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