Despite 3,400 new jobs in October, Illinois’ labor market is nothing to celebrate

By Orphe Divounguy

11/20/2017

A positive jobs report for October does little to buck discouraging long-term trends in Illinois.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, manufacturing, unemployment

House considers legislation to remove criminal penalty from SB 1905

By Mailee Smith

11/04/2017

An amendment has been filed in the Illinois House of Representatives that would remove language making local government officials criminals simply for enacting Right-to-Work laws. But significant problems remain.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Martin Moylan, right to work

The 6 biggest myths about banning local Right to Work in Illinois

By Mailee Smith

11/02/2017

The Illinois House failed – by just one vote – to override Rauner’s veto of SB 1905, a ban of local Right-to-Work ordinances. But the bill is likely come back for another vote.

TAGS: collective bargaining, jobs, local government, right to work, unions

October marks Illinois’ first-ever ‘zombie preparedness month’

10/31/2017

A resolution introduced by state Rep. Chris Welch, D-Westchester, and passed by the Illinois House designated October as “Zombie Preparedness Month.”

TAGS: Chris Welch

Abundance of governments is one driver of collar county property taxes

10/12/2017

Consolidating governments in the collar counties could help lower residents’ high property taxes.

TAGS: consolidation, local government, local government consolidation, property taxes

More than a third of Illinois’ largest cities shrinking in population

10/03/2017

Twelve of the 29 Illinois cities with over 50,000 in population are losing residents.

TAGS: outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Chicago tops list of cities residents are leaving

09/14/2017

A new report from moving company United Van Lines shows more residents left Chicago during the summer moving months than any other metro area.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, outmigration, population, United Van Lines

Illinois lawmakers hear testimony for marijuana legalization proposals

By Brendan Bakala

09/07/2017

Two bills to legalize marijuana currently sit in Springfield.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, Heather Steans, Kelly Cassidy, legalization, marijuana

Cards Against Humanity contributes to Illinois marijuana legalization effort

By Joe Tabor

08/04/2017

The popular Chicago-based game company is helping efforts to legalize and regulate marijuana, which could extend to Illinois.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, marijuana

Sales tax hikes take effect in 50 Illinois taxing districts

By John Kristof

07/07/2017

More than 50 Illinois counties, municipalities and business districts started imposing sales tax increases ranging from 0.25-1.5 percent as of July 1.

TAGS: sales tax

Paul Simon Public Policy Institute

Despite 3,400 new jobs in October, Illinois’ labor market is nothing to celebrate

House considers legislation to remove criminal penalty from SB 1905

The 6 biggest myths about banning local Right to Work in Illinois

October marks Illinois’ first-ever ‘zombie preparedness month’

Abundance of governments is one driver of collar county property taxes

More than a third of Illinois’ largest cities shrinking in population

Chicago tops list of cities residents are leaving

Illinois lawmakers hear testimony for marijuana legalization proposals

Cards Against Humanity contributes to Illinois marijuana legalization effort

Sales tax hikes take effect in 50 Illinois taxing districts

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit 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