Oppressive regulations leave thousands of jobs unfilled

By Larry Han

06/17/2024

The jobs are there. The people to fill them are there. The only thing standing in the way is Illinois’ overreaching state regulations and job licensing.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Chicago Teachers Union sets a radical example for nation’s teachers unions

By William O’Keefe

04/19/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union prides itself as a leader in “bargaining for the common good” – unionspeak for contract demands related to its political agenda rather than teachers’ wages and benefits. This year’s negotiations could reverberate across the nation.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Too much occupational licensing could stop people from moving to Illinois

By Joe Tabor

12/25/2023

Illinois has seen continual population loss for a decade. While taxes and lack of opportunities are driving people away, the state’s licensing requirements could be keeping people from moving in.

TAGS: occupational licensing

Illinois families pay highest state, local taxes in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

03/21/2023

A new WalletHub study found the typical household in Illinois pays 15% of its income to state and local taxes, the highest in the nation. That’s an average of $10,463 – a 22% hike since 2017.

High-tax Illinois loses people, low-tax states gain in 2022

By Justin Carlson

01/25/2023

Low-tax states attract the majority of movers, while high-tax states push them away. Illinois takes nearly 13% of all money made in the state as taxes, and lost 141,656 residents in 2022.

Illinois’ half-baked marijuana legalization costs state $600M

By Adam Schuster

04/20/2022

A complex system of high taxes and restrictive licensing undermines the goals of marijuana legalization proponents – leaving $600 million in potential revenue uncollected while helping the illegal drug trade.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, marijuana, taxes

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

Progressive tax could cost nearly $1,800 a year in home equity

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Jon Josko

10/05/2020

Evidence from Connecticut suggests the progressive income tax could cost Illinois homeowners substantial equity in their homes.

Illinois becomes only state to ban haunted houses

10/03/2020

Other states warned residents about small spaces inside haunted houses creating a risk for spreading COVID-19, but Illinois is all alone in outlawing them.

TAGS: executive order, haunted house, JB Pritzker

Illinois fireworks ban costing the state jobs, money, independence

06/30/2020

Independence Day turns many Illinoisans into scofflaws as they ignore rules banning most fireworks. The outdated laws mainly serve fireworks stands in border states.

TAGS: fireworks ban, Independence Day, regulations

Massachusetts

Oppressive regulations leave thousands of jobs unfilled

Chicago Teachers Union sets a radical example for nation’s teachers unions

Too much occupational licensing could stop people from moving to Illinois

Illinois families pay highest state, local taxes in nation

High-tax Illinois loses people, low-tax states gain in 2022

Illinois’ half-baked marijuana legalization costs state $600M

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

Progressive tax could cost nearly $1,800 a year in home equity

Illinois becomes only state to ban haunted houses

Illinois fireworks ban costing the state jobs, money, independence

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