Illinois may pay bonuses to get workers to take jobs again

By Noah Shaar

07/08/2021

To combat above-average unemployment, Illinois state leaders discussed a possible back-to-work bonus. The state would pay cash to those who go off unemployment.

TAGS: Illinois, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

Illinois workers 26% less likely to find a job in May than other workers

By Orphe Divounguy, Jon Josko

06/23/2021

Illinois lost jobs in May as the state’s workers found themselves facing a tougher job hunt than workers in other states.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

Pritzker OKs gerrymandered maps, breaking promise to end partisan games

By Joe Tabor

06/05/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Democrats’ partisan legislative and judicial redistricting plans. He had repeatedly promised to veto any maps drawn by state lawmakers for their own benefit.

TAGS: corruption, fair maps, gerrymandering, JB Pritzker

One year later, Illinois’ jobs recovery from COVID-19 among slowest in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

05/22/2021

Job losses peaked in April 2020 amid COVID-19 and state-mandated shutdowns. In the year-long recovery since, Illinois’ has been among the nation’s slowest.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, jobs, recession, unemployment

Potential CTU strike about boosting power of nation’s teachers’ unions

By Mailee Smith

01/30/2021

The Chicago Teachers Union prided itself as the vanguard for a rash of nationwide teacher strikes following its 2012 walkout. It’s using the same playbook in 2021.

TAGS: COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike

Gas taxes nearly equal to cost of gas in Illinois

By Brad Weisenstein

04/23/2020

Illinois’ taxes and fees on gasoline keep the pump price high, even when oil producers are paying for someone to take excess crude. The state gas tax is set to rise again in July.

TAGS: Chicago, coronavirus, COVID-19, gas tax, JB Pritzker

Illinois one of 11 states that lets departing lawmakers immediately become lobbyists

08/13/2019

“Revolving door” laws are intended to stop state lawmakers from getting private jobs after granting political favors. Illinois is one of the few states that does little to curb the practice.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, Lisa Madigan, lobbying, Lori Lightfoot, revolving door

Tax hikes vs. reform: Why Illinois must amend its constitution to fix the pension crisis

By Adam Schuster

08/24/2018

Reforming future benefit growth via a constitutional amendment is the only way to ensure the retirement security of government workers, protect taxpayer budgets and fulfill the needs of Illinoisans reliant on core services.

Unpaid sick leave spikes Illinois teachers’ pension benefits

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/08/2017

While sick leave is necessary for working teachers, letting unpaid sick leave accumulate for the purpose of boosting pensions is an expensive perk that taxpayers cannot afford.

Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.

By Brendan Bakala

02/02/2017

Illinois politicians burden the state’s residents with the highest combined state and average local sales tax rate in the Midwest, along with numerous other taxes and fees.

TAGS: sales tax, taxes

Oklahoma

Illinois may pay bonuses to get workers to take jobs again

Illinois workers 26% less likely to find a job in May than other workers

Pritzker OKs gerrymandered maps, breaking promise to end partisan games

One year later, Illinois’ jobs recovery from COVID-19 among slowest in U.S.

Potential CTU strike about boosting power of nation’s teachers’ unions

Gas taxes nearly equal to cost of gas in Illinois

Illinois one of 11 states that lets departing lawmakers immediately become lobbyists

Tax hikes vs. reform: Why Illinois must amend its constitution to fix the pension crisis

Unpaid sick leave spikes Illinois teachers’ pension benefits

Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.

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