Michigan surpasses 600,000 manufacturing jobs as Illinois manufacturing continues to decline

By Michael Lucci

08/23/2016

Manufacturers are struggling with unfavorable global conditions, and Illinois’ anti-growth policies are only hurting the state’s industrial sector more.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, unemployment, workers compensation

Unemployment rate drops as Illinois workforce shrinks by 33,600 during summer moving season

By Michael Lucci

08/19/2016

Manufacturing weakness driving Illinois unemployment up; dropout and out-migration driving unemployment down.

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

Palatine school-district contract a case study in how closed-door, government-union deals hurt taxpayers

By Mailee Smith

06/03/2016

Palatine-area Community Consolidated School District 15 posted its 10-year contract with its teachers union more than a month after it had been signed, ensuring that potentially harmful contract provisions can only come to light after it is too late for students, parents and taxpayers to do anything about it.

TAGS: education, labor

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

Madigan lawyer sues to block fair-map amendment

By Austin Berg

05/12/2016

In Illinois, politicians pick their voters.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, Mike Madigan

Reforming Illinois’ nonviolent Class 4 felony statutes

By Lauren Krisai

05/11/2016

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s 2016 State of the State address

By illinoispolicy

01/27/2016

Transcript, provided by Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office, of his 2016 State of the State address, as prepared for delivery, to the General Assembly on January 27, 2016.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, State of the State

Chicago’s sales tax now highest in the nation

By Hilary Gowins

01/01/2016

The sales-tax hike Cook County officials approved in July takes effect Jan. 1, 2016, just in time for end-of-season holiday shopping deals.

TAGS: Chicago, sales tax, taxes

The Chicago squeeze: Property taxes, fees and over 30 individual taxes crush city residents

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

12/08/2015

Chicagoans are the most-taxed residents of any major city in Illinois and pay the 10th-highest property taxes compared to taxpayers in other large U.S. cities.

Busting the myth that Chicago taxes are low

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/15/2015

An analysis of Chicago’s taxation and revenue in perspective

Rockford

Michigan surpasses 600,000 manufacturing jobs as Illinois manufacturing continues to decline

Unemployment rate drops as Illinois workforce shrinks by 33,600 during summer moving season

Palatine school-district contract a case study in how closed-door, government-union deals hurt taxpayers

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

Madigan lawyer sues to block fair-map amendment

Reforming Illinois’ nonviolent Class 4 felony statutes

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s 2016 State of the State address

Chicago’s sales tax now highest in the nation

The Chicago squeeze: Property taxes, fees and over 30 individual taxes crush city residents

Busting the myth that Chicago taxes are low

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