Every 9 minutes, 21 seconds, Illinois loses another resident

By Bryce Hill

03/06/2025

Illinois continues to lose residents to other states. Another Illinoisan left every 9 minutes and 21 seconds from July 2023 to June 2024.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Oak Lawn renews business license amnesty

By Dylan Sharkey

11/02/2023

Illinois Policy Institute research inspired Oak Lawn to waive licensing fees for hundreds of businesses in the village. The village board unanimously voted to extend the amnesty.

Cook County ends $80 ‘wheel tax’ for 50,000 drivers

By Patrick Andriesen

09/23/2022

The Cook County Board voted unanimously to repeal the sticker mandate on drivers living in unincorporated Cook County starting in 2023. Drivers will save at least $80 a year.

TAGS: Cook County, wheel tax

Illinois small business owners brace for higher taxes under Amendment 1

By Dylan Sharkey

08/09/2022

New business taxes added by the Pritzker administration plus Illinois’ high property taxes are making it hard for a Chicago-area bar owner to stay in business. Now a government union push for more property taxes is creating a new threat.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Illinois, small business, 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

Crestwood mayor resigns, pleads guilty to red-light camera bribery

By Patrick Andriesen

11/19/2021

Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta pleaded guilty to bribery, lying to federal authorities and tax charges as part of a pay-to-play red-light camera scheme. The cameras took $1 billion from Illinois drivers in a decade.

TAGS: Illinois, Louis Presta, red light cameras

Former state lawmaker used bribes to promote red-light cameras in Chicago suburb, feds charge

By Patrick Andriesen

04/27/2021

New federal corruption charges state a former Illinois House member conspired to use bribes to get a red-light traffic camera contract renewed and more of them installed in a suburban Chicago community. Traffic cameras collected $5.5 million during a decade in the suburb.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, red light cameras

Extortion conspiracy, tax evasion charges filed against former Cook County commissioner

08/27/2020

Jeffrey Tobolski is the latest Illinois politician charged in a wide-ranging federal corruption probe into bribes, insider deals, cronyism and red-light cameras.

TAGS: corruption, extortion, federal investigation, tax fraud

Indiana drops corporate tax rate as Illinois considers increasing it

07/17/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’ would raise Illinois business taxes to the highest in the nation as neighboring Indiana cuts taxes to draw businesses across the border.

TAGS: corporate income tax, Indiana, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax

Pritzker should look to other states to develop a responsible reopening plan

By Amy Korte

05/01/2020

Uncertainty is amplifying the difficulty of the COVID-19 crisis, and Illinoisans need information on what a safe reopening will look like.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economy, executive order, small business

Oak Lawn

Every 9 minutes, 21 seconds, Illinois loses another resident

Oak Lawn renews business license amnesty

Cook County ends $80 ‘wheel tax’ for 50,000 drivers

Illinois small business owners brace for higher taxes under Amendment 1

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

Crestwood mayor resigns, pleads guilty to red-light camera bribery

Former state lawmaker used bribes to promote red-light cameras in Chicago suburb, feds charge

Extortion conspiracy, tax evasion charges filed against former Cook County commissioner

Indiana drops corporate tax rate as Illinois considers increasing it

Pritzker should look to other states to develop a responsible reopening plan

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