Illinois state workers have options if they wish to opt out of a union

By Mailee Smith

08/19/2016

Illinois state workers can opt out of union membership to become fair share payers, but reforms such as Right to Work and Worker’s Choice would promote greater worker freedom and benefit the state.

Educating workers about their right to opt out of union membership

By Mailee Smith

08/15/2016

National Employee Freedom Week spotlights the ability of all Illinois workers – including state employees – to opt out of unions, and outlines the reforms needed to ensure true worker freedom.

June jobs report: Illinois workforce shrinks by 36,000, working-age adults leaving the state

By Michael Lucci

07/22/2016

The month of June saw Illinois continue to lose jobs, as the state’s long-term economic woes continue to push workers out of the state.

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

23 of Illinois’ 29 largest cities are shrinking, Chicago sees 2nd-biggest population decline in U.S.

By Michael Lucci

05/19/2016

In the majority of Illinois’ large cities, the number of people moving to another part of the country is greater than the combined gains from more births than deaths and international immigration.

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

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

61% of Illinois voters support Right to Work, poll finds

By Mailee Smith

03/23/2016

A new poll conducted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute in February 2016 reveals that a clear majority of voters – including 55 percent of Democrats and 51 percent of union members – support or lean toward supporting Right-to-Work laws.

TAGS: right to work

Illinois lost 56 manufacturing jobs per workday in 2015

By Michael Lucci

02/22/2016

Though neighboring and Great Lakes states added a combined 200 factory jobs per workday on net in 2015, an average of 56 Illinois manufacturing workers, on net, received pink slips each workday during the same time.

TAGS: manufacturing

Illinois manufacturing workers earn less money, see less growth than Indiana peers

By Michael Lucci

02/01/2016

Federal data show how Illinois workers suffer under their state’s anti-manufacturing status quo.

TAGS: manufacturing

Illinois only state among neighboring and Great Lake states to lose jobs in 2015

By Michael Lucci

01/26/2016

Illinois lost 3,000 jobs on net in 2015, while other neighboring and Great Lakes manufacturing states all gained tens of thousands of jobs on net for the year.

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

West Virginia takes first step toward becoming 26th Right-to-Work state

By Michael Lucci

01/25/2016

West Virginia’s Senate has passed legislation to protect a worker’s right to choose to join a union, or to opt out entirely.

TAGS: right to work

Right-to-work law

Illinois state workers have options if they wish to opt out of a union

Educating workers about their right to opt out of union membership

June jobs report: Illinois workforce shrinks by 36,000, working-age adults leaving the state

23 of Illinois’ 29 largest cities are shrinking, Chicago sees 2nd-biggest population decline in U.S.

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

61% of Illinois voters support Right to Work, poll finds

Illinois lost 56 manufacturing jobs per workday in 2015

Illinois manufacturing workers earn less money, see less growth than Indiana peers

Illinois only state among neighboring and Great Lake states to lose jobs in 2015

West Virginia takes first step toward becoming 26th Right-to-Work state

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