Illinois has highest unemployment rate in nation

By Michael Lucci

05/20/2016

A new report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows Illinois gained 5,400 jobs in April, but the state’s unemployment rate ticked up to 6.6 percent, tied for highest in the U.S.

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

Reforming Illinois’ nonviolent Class 4 felony statutes

By Lauren Krisai

05/11/2016

Illinois has zero private-sector jobs growth in the 21st century

By Michael Lucci

05/10/2016

Illinois is one of four states in the entire U.S. to have fewer private sector jobs today compared to the turn of the century. The Land of Lincoln needs pro-growth reforms to allow the state’s private sector to rise again.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Illinois’ tax structure should be built on stability, not emotion

By Austin Berg

05/05/2016

Illinois lawmakers can learn valuable lessons from states that have protected essential government services from swings in the economy.

TAGS: consumption tax, corporate income tax, graduated income tax, income tax, progressive income tax

Jobs report: Illinois’ March jobs growth near top of rankings in Midwest

By Michael Lucci

04/19/2016

Illinois gained 14,700 payroll jobs on net in March, and compared relatively well with other states in the region for the month, trailing only Ohio in monthly jobs growth. Despite this growth, however, the unemployment rate increased to 6.5 percent. The state also lost 3,100 manufacturing jobs on net.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, manufacturing

6 reforms to end Illinois’ perpetual budget crisis

By Donna Arduin

04/15/2016

Illinois needs a combination of constitutional and statutory changes to put and keep the state on sound fiscal footing and allow it to pay its providers and better prepare for emergencies.

TAGS: budget

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

Missouri lawmaker proposes bill to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control

By Mark Adams

02/18/2016

A Republican-sponsored bill in Missouri could make it easier, less costly and more convenient for women across Illinois’ border to obtain birth control.

Heavy metals: Behind the fall of Illinois industry

By Austin Berg

01/01/2016

Ohio

Illinois has highest unemployment rate in nation

Reforming Illinois’ nonviolent Class 4 felony statutes

Illinois has zero private-sector jobs growth in the 21st century

Illinois’ tax structure should be built on stability, not emotion

Jobs report: Illinois’ March jobs growth near top of rankings in Midwest

6 reforms to end Illinois’ perpetual budget crisis

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

The debt never paid: Re-entry reforms for Illinois

Missouri lawmaker proposes bill to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control

Heavy metals: Behind the fall of Illinois industry

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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