Akuna Capital signed tax break deal with state of Illinois estimated to be worth $4.5M

By Brendan Bakala

05/23/2017

In 2015, Chicago-headquartered Akuna Capital LLC signed a deal with the state of Illinois that state officials estimated to be worth $4.5 million. As part of the agreement, Akuna agreed to hire 10 new employees. The agreement states the new hires specialized in trading and software.

TAGS: cronyism, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, tax credits

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

By Madelyn Harwood

05/17/2017

By fixing cost drivers, decreasing the cost of doing business in Illinois, and easing the tax burden, Illinois can encourage jobs growth and stand a better chance at attracting and retaining younger people.

Illinois Senate passes legislation to slash start-up costs

By Michael Lucci

05/08/2017

Illinois currently has the highest start-up fees in the country, further burdening the already-unfriendly business climate in the state.

TAGS: David McSweeney, jobs, LLC fees, LLC: limited liability company, regulations, small business, Thomas Cullerton

Ex-offenders less likely to quit their jobs, no more likely to be fired than other employees

By Amy Korte

12/02/2016

Although a new study by Northwestern University researchers shows ex-offenders can make good hires, obstacles such as negligent-hiring liability hinder employers willing to give ex-offenders a chance.

TAGS: ban the box, criminal justice reform, expungement, record sealing, reentry

Food-stamp fraud and prevalence signs of a struggling state

By Austin Berg

08/25/2016

More than 1 in 5 Illinois households rely on food stamps to make ends meet.

TAGS: corruption, food stamps, jobs, SNAP, unemployment, welfare

How business-liability reform can help encourage ex-offender employment

By Bryant Jackson-Green

04/07/2016

With the right liability reforms, Illinois can protect businesses and make them more likely to give ex-offenders a chance at employment.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, jobs

The debt never paid: Re-entry reforms for Illinois

By Bryant Jackson-Green

03/31/2016

How to reform a broken criminal-justice system that prevents ex-offenders from achieving self-sufficiency

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 is unprepared for the next recession

By Ted Dabrowski

01/15/2016

Sky-high debt and a meager rainy day fund make Illinois the second-least prepared state in the U.S. for its capacity to weather a recession.

TAGS: food stamps, jobs, manufacturing, pensions

GE rejects Chicago as home for corporate headquarters, cites pension debt

By Ted Dabrowski

01/14/2016

General Electric will move its corporate headquarters and 800 jobs to Boston, Mass., from Fairfield, Conn., noting its concerns about Chicago’s government-worker pension debt in its rejection of the Windy City.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions

Massachusetts

Akuna Capital signed tax break deal with state of Illinois estimated to be worth $4.5M

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

Illinois Senate passes legislation to slash start-up costs

Ex-offenders less likely to quit their jobs, no more likely to be fired than other employees

Food-stamp fraud and prevalence signs of a struggling state

How business-liability reform can help encourage ex-offender employment

The debt never paid: Re-entry reforms for Illinois

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

Illinois is unprepared for the next recession

GE rejects Chicago as home for corporate headquarters, cites pension debt

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students