Union membership collapsing in forced-union states

By Michael Lucci

03/09/2015

An unhealthy business climate and the forced-union status quo in states like Illinois does not serve the well-being of rank-and-file union members.

TAGS: employment, right to work

Lessons from Illinois: Pension obligation bonds only delay the day of reckoning

By Benjamin VanMetre

02/26/2015

Illinois resorted to POBs because pension costs were quickly increasing. But instead of reforming the system, political leaders chose to paper over the problem with debt.

TAGS: bonds, debt, pensions

Right to Work is surrounding Illinois

By Michael Lucci

02/24/2015

As neighbors and regional peers move to foster business growth, Illinois is being left behind.

TAGS: jobs, right to work

Act locally: Right-to-Work zones can spark IL comeback

By Michael Lucci

02/02/2015

For Illinois’ downstate communities that have felt the pain of out-migration and need to revitalize their industrial base, a local Right-to-Work ordinance can be their first step to a comeback.

TAGS: jobs, labor, right to work, unions

Illinois’ economic crisis requires local solutions

By Michael Lucci

01/05/2015

Localities don’t need to wait for Springfield to make the state work again.

TAGS: economy, food stamps, jobs

Moody’s: Illinois an outlier in pension debt

By Benjamin VanMetre

11/26/2014

Illinois ranks worst in the nation on ability to pay for its pension debt.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, Illinois Constitution, pensions, Senate Bill 1, taxes

End the crony slush fund that is the Ex-Im Bank

By Bryant Jackson-Green

07/14/2014

An important debate about the future of the Export-Import Bank of the United States is raging in Congress and in the media. The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing last month to ask if the bank was “corporate necessity or corporate welfare?” The Ex-Im Bank originated as a New Deal-era program, financing loans to...

Illinois corruption watch, June 2014

By Brian Costin, Anthony Trania

07/09/2014

Unfortunately for taxpayers, June was a groundbreaking month for corruption in Illinois. In June alone, there were reports of 85 corruption-related stories in the state. Some of the record-breaking highlights include the following: For the first time in 33 years, the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission exercised its subpoena powers in the issuance of a subpoena...

Fireworks ban a boon for neighboring states, restricts Illinoisans

By Austin Berg

07/03/2014

Fireworks are a staple in America’s celebration of its Independence Day. But good luck buying any in Illinois. For yet another year, the Land of Lincoln is one of only eight states in the country that doesn’t allow the purchase of consumer fireworks. Illinois’ Pyrotechnic Use Act bans the sale, possession and use of those...

Illinois’ jobs report card

By Michael Lucci

06/30/2014

It’s report-card season in Illinois, as the journey and efforts that began last August have come to fruition for students across the state. State governments can be graded too, in particular on the subject of jobs. How Illinois fares on job creation is critically important for local high school and college seniors, who have just...

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Union membership collapsing in forced-union states

Lessons from Illinois: Pension obligation bonds only delay the day of reckoning

Right to Work is surrounding Illinois

Act locally: Right-to-Work zones can spark IL comeback

Illinois’ economic crisis requires local solutions

Moody’s: Illinois an outlier in pension debt

End the crony slush fund that is the Ex-Im Bank

Illinois corruption watch, June 2014

Fireworks ban a boon for neighboring states, restricts Illinoisans

Illinois’ jobs report card

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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