For many Illinoisans, the next recession is already here
Illinois lost 11,000 manufacturing jobs in 2016.
4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap
Causes, costs, how to set the state free
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Illinois Senate proposes income tax hike in the face of record out-migration and wealth flight
The Illinois Senate’s proposed budget plan would raise the personal income tax rate to at least 4.95 percent with no real reforms to address the state’s skyrocketing debt and unsustainable spending. This proposal comes despite Illinois’ loss of $14 billion in annual income and hundreds of thousands of people in the wake of the 2011 income tax hike.
Caterpillar considers moving 800 production jobs out of Aurora
Peoria-based heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has announced a possible move of up to 800 manufacturing jobs out of Aurora.
Our regrettable shrinking state
The U.S. Census Bureau released new migration data Dec. 20, and it’s frightening. Illinois has a massive people problem. From July 2015 to July 2016, the state’s population declined by more than 37,000 people. That’s the worst population loss in the nation, and will likely mean the loss of a seat in the U.S. House...
Defending the indefensible: IMRF director on pensions
The head of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, or IMRF, has dismissed calls for pension reform, disregarding the fact that pensions aren’t manageable, benefits aren’t affordable, and previous “reforms” propped up pensions on the backs of new workers.
Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population
Illinois has record loss of 114,000 residents to other states in 2016 as population shrinks by 37,500.
Chicago Airbnb hosts made $73 million in 2016, despite roadblocks by Chicago City Council, hotel lobby
The Chicago market has grown to the third largest in the country, accounting for almost all of the more than $73 million in supplemental income in 2016.
Caterpillar announces more layoffs
CAT announces more layoffs due to anticipated losses in 2017.
A sorry state: Illinois’ economy in 2017
Since the end of the recession, only 5 out of Illinois’ 13 metro areas – Carbondale-Marion, Chicago, Kankakee, Lake County-Kenosha County and Springfield – have recovered all the private-sector jobs lost from the Great Recession.
Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs
Most people expect Illinois law enforcement to defend the private property of Illinois residents. As long as you obey the law, your life, liberty and property should be secure from the law – or so common sense would suggest. Yet, every year, Illinois law enforcement agencies take tens of millions of dollars in cash, vehicles,...
