Illinois sees nation’s largest drop in job openings as recession fears grow

By Bryce Hill

07/29/2022

Illinois’ job opening rate declined 1.5 percentage points in May. That’s not a good way to enter a potential recession.

TAGS: Illinois, jobs, recession, unemployment

What a recession would mean for Illinois

By Bryce Hill

07/28/2022

Politicians and pundits can’t seem to agree about whether the U.S. is in a recession, but the semantics matter little for struggling Americans. Illinois can expect economic pain regardless of what it’s called.

TAGS: GDP: gross domestic product, Illinois, recession

Illinois slices into family deli’s bottom line

07/25/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker added $650 million in taxes and fee hikes for small businesses in his last budget. Voters will decide Nov. 8 if Illinois’ business climate will get tougher, yet, through Amendment 1.

TAGS: Illinois, inflation, small business, tax burden

Pritzker gives himself emergency COVID powers for 32nd time

By Dylan Sharkey

07/25/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared Illinois a disaster zone for the 32nd time. When this declaration ends, he will have given himself emergency powers for 895 days – more than two-thirds of his term.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency powers, JB Pritzker

Illinois adds 18,800 jobs in June, still missing 117,000 from pandemic

By Bryce Hill

07/22/2022

Illinois’ employment recovery continued in June, but the state is still missing one in seven jobs lost during the pandemic.

TAGS: economic recovery, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

Illinois adds 12,800 jobs in May, still missing 136,400 from pandemic

By Bryce Hill

07/09/2022

Illinois’ employment recovery continued in May, but the state is still missing nearly one in six jobs lost during the pandemic.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

Illinois drivers pay 54 cents more per gallon than rest of U.S. ahead of July 4 travel

By Dylan Sharkey

06/29/2022

Independence Day travel will return to pre-pandemic levels this weekend, reminding Illinoisans they pay the most for gas in the Midwest thanks to high taxes.

TAGS: free speech, gas prices, gas station, gas tax, inflation, JB Pritzker, taxes

Oak Lawn may boost businesses by waiving $600,000 in licensing fees

By Dylan Sharkey

06/27/2022

A tough economy and an Illinois Policy Institute report has Oak Lawn considering waiving business license renewal fees for a year. Giving up $600,000 in fees is expected to attract new businesses and help older ones.

TAGS: licensing fees, Oak Lawn, small business

Unions spend nearly $5M to push property tax hikes through Amendment 1

By Hannah Schmid

06/27/2022

The majority of the support for a constitutional amendment that would raise taxes on Illinoisans comes from union coffers, with nearly $5 million donated so far. Unions also funded the failed progressive tax push in 2020.

TAGS: Amendment 1, government unions, tax hikes, taxes, unions

Illinois’ fireworks ban limits liberty, hurts job growth

06/21/2022

Illinoisans celebrate Independence Day by taking their fireworks business to other states, despite bans and threats at home, causing the state to lose out on jobs and revenue.

TAGS: fireworks

Midwestern United States

Illinois sees nation’s largest drop in job openings as recession fears grow

What a recession would mean for Illinois

Illinois slices into family deli’s bottom line

Pritzker gives himself emergency COVID powers for 32nd time

Illinois adds 18,800 jobs in June, still missing 117,000 from pandemic

Illinois adds 12,800 jobs in May, still missing 136,400 from pandemic

Illinois drivers pay 54 cents more per gallon than rest of U.S. ahead of July 4 travel

Oak Lawn may boost businesses by waiving $600,000 in licensing fees

Unions spend nearly $5M to push property tax hikes through Amendment 1

Illinois’ fireworks ban limits liberty, hurts job growth

Who Lives Below the Poverty Line in Illinois? Family Structure and Education Mark the Highest Risk

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