Illinoisans work 119 days to pay for government

By Craig Lesner

04/11/2016

Illinoisans must work from Jan. 1 until April 29 to pay the taxes they owe to federal, state and local governments.

The fall of Illinois manufacturing

By Austin Berg

04/07/2016

illinois manufacturing hoist liftruck marty flaska

Since the state's recession bottom, Illinois has regained less than 5 percent of its manufacturing jobs — the worst rate of recovery among all neighboring states.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, workers compensation

New bill would make Illinois gas taxes highest in the nation

By Austin Berg

04/04/2016

A new 30-cent-per-gallon tax hike would make Illinois gas taxes the highest in the nation by far, and pour more money into a broken system.

TAGS: gas tax, transportation, workers compensation

Job creation finally besting food-stamp enrollment in Illinois

03/31/2016

For nearly six years, Illinois was the only Midwestern state where growth in food stamps was outpacing jobs growth.

Madigan’s middle class: Pain for the many, perks for the few

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/26/2016

Middle-class Illinoisans who aren’t employed by the government are suffering, but Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan stands in the way of solutions.

Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

By Michael Lucci

03/25/2016

Census data are sounding a warning signal that Chicago and Illinois policy leaders don’t necessarily want to hear.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population

61% of Illinois voters support Right to Work, poll finds

By Mailee Smith

03/23/2016

A new poll conducted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute in February 2016 reveals that a clear majority of voters – including 55 percent of Democrats and 51 percent of union members – support or lean toward supporting Right-to-Work laws.

TAGS: right to work

Illinois now home to the highest sales taxes in the Midwest

By Austin Berg

03/10/2016

Combined sales taxes in Illinois have leaped past those of every other state in the region.

TAGS: sales tax

Nearly 1,700 Illinois workers hit with layoffs, hundreds in manufacturing

By Austin Berg

03/07/2016

Illinois’ manufacturing meltdown and weak jobs growth are pummeling workers.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing

Sears cuts 200 Illinois jobs

By Austin Berg

02/26/2016

Illinois remains home to the nation’s worst employment recovery.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Midwestern United States

Illinoisans work 119 days to pay for government

The fall of Illinois manufacturing

New bill would make Illinois gas taxes highest in the nation

Job creation finally besting food-stamp enrollment in Illinois

Madigan’s middle class: Pain for the many, perks for the few

Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

61% of Illinois voters support Right to Work, poll finds

Illinois now home to the highest sales taxes in the Midwest

Nearly 1,700 Illinois workers hit with layoffs, hundreds in manufacturing

Sears cuts 200 Illinois jobs

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