Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions may return to parts of Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

04/19/2021

COVID-19 cases are again on the rise. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker may again impose restrictions on parts of the state.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker, reopen, restrictions

Illinois’ economy recovering, but continues to lag rest of Midwest

By Bryce Hill

04/16/2021

Illinois’ unemployment rate remains the highest in the Midwest despite March jobs growth

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

Biden corporate tax plan would push Illinois rates to No. 5

04/02/2021

Combine the corporate tax rate President Joe Biden wants to fund his infrastructure plan with Illinois’ tax, and the resulting rate would be 35.4% – fifth highest in the nation and second in the Midwest.

TAGS: corporate income tax, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, Joe Biden, small business

35% of Illinois’ small businesses are closed a year into COVID-19 restrictions

By Bryce Hill

03/29/2021

More small businesses have closed in Illinois than in any other Midwestern state, except Michigan. Taxing them more as they struggle is the wrong move.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, lockdown, small business, unemployment

Illinois Senate committee passes bill to help nursing shortage

03/24/2021

Sen. Feigenholtz’s Senate Bill 2068 would add Illinois to 34 other states participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact. Career moves, volunteer work and pandemic relief would all benefit.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, Nurse Licensure Compact

Hollowed out: Small businesses reflect on one year into a pandemic

By Hilary Gowins

03/18/2021

The pandemic has affected everyone, but the economic fallout has been especially devastating for specific groups. In addition to retailers, restaurant owners and other small business owners, women, working mothers and Black Illinoisans suffered the worst in terms of job losses.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, lockdown, recession, small business

Moody’s report: Illinois pension debt reaches record-high $317 billion

By Adam Schuster

03/05/2021

Illinois worst-in-the-nation public pension debt grew 19% year over year. It will continue hurting the state economy and job growth, driving more people out of Illinois, unless there are reforms.

TAGS: debt, Moody's Investor Service, pensions, public sector

Flat education spending is a cut when pensions, administration take more

03/01/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans another year of flat education spending. The reality is the cash reaching classrooms is dwindling as pensions and administration eat more.

TAGS: budget, education spending, JB Pritzker, pensions

Pritzker’s budget pushes 9 new taxes worth nearly $1 billion

By Adam Schuster

02/24/2021

The budget proposal includes no reforms to pensions or other cost drivers, misleadingly labels various business tax increases as ‘closing corporate tax loopholes,’ and relies on gimmicks that conceal true deficits. And there’s a new gas tax.

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, tax hikes

Madigan quits as party chair day after picking his House successor

By Brad Weisenstein

02/22/2021

Mike Madigan quit as Democratic Party of Illinois chairman a day after picking his successor for the Illinois House, four days after resigning as representative and one month after he was ousted as the nation's longest-serving Statehouse speaker.

TAGS: Democratic Party, Edward Guerra Kodatt, House Speaker, Mike Madigan

Midwestern United States

Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions may return to parts of Illinois

Illinois’ economy recovering, but continues to lag rest of Midwest

Biden corporate tax plan would push Illinois rates to No. 5

35% of Illinois’ small businesses are closed a year into COVID-19 restrictions

Illinois Senate committee passes bill to help nursing shortage

Hollowed out: Small businesses reflect on one year into a pandemic

Moody’s report: Illinois pension debt reaches record-high $317 billion

Flat education spending is a cut when pensions, administration take more

Pritzker’s budget pushes 9 new taxes worth nearly $1 billion

Madigan quits as party chair day after picking his House successor

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

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Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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