Rockford

Illinoisans agree: The tax hike was a failure

By Chris Andriesen
02/23/2012
by Taylor Smith It’s no secret that Illinois’ record income tax hike has failed to revive Illinois’ fiscal health. But it also has dramatically exacerbated the state’s economic outlook on many levels. Since the tax hike, Illinois’ unemployment numbers have worsened. In 2011, Illinois’ unemployment rate increased most in the nation – by far – with 46...

Illinois’ out-migration crisis

12/20/2011
by Ted Dabrowski Illinois is bleeding people to almost every state in the nation. People are packing up and voting with their feet. Gone – goodbye. When people leave, they don’t just take their belongings. With them go their earnings, their spending power and their contribution to society. When they own companies, they even take the...

Illinois Policy Institute wins Templeton Freedom Award

11/08/2011
Nov. 8, 2011 – Today, John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute was honored to accept a 2011 Templeton Freedom Award for Excellence in Promoting Liberty. The Illinois Policy Institute won in the category of Innovative Media for its Illinois Turnaround Tour New Media Campaign. This award category recognizes outstanding think tank projects that use...

How to stop pushing jobs out of Illinois

10/27/2011
by Emily Dietrich “If we repeal this law, these jobs will come back to Illinois,” said Brian Littleton, founder and CEO of ShareASale, at a press conference announcing the introduction of legislation to repeal Illinois’ affiliate nexus law, sometimes referred to as the “Amazon tax.” Wednesday’s press conference focused on the thousands of Illinois businesses...

Raising the Bar: A Performance Review of Downstate and Suburban Charter Schools

By Collin Hitt
07/21/2011
Summary This report focuses on the seven downstate and suburban charter schools that enrolled K-12 students during the 2009-10 school year. Charter schools that focus exclusively on reenrolling high school dropouts are excluded from the analysis. Also not included in the analysis are Peoria’s Quest Academy, Rockford’s CICS Patriots Charter School and Southland College Prep,...

Government Monopolized Education Is Ineffective

05/25/2011
by Sameer Warraich New leadership is set to take control over Chicago Public Schools, and parents and students are pondering whether these new policy makers will be successful in reforming Chicago’s public school system. With a deficit that exceeds $720 million, CPS is in dire need of reformers who can simultaneously reduce costs while increasing the...

Sen. Syverson Signs Tax Pledge at Rockford Turnaround Tour Stop

10/01/2010
On September 30th the Illinois Turnaround Tour made a stop in Rockford. Over 50 people packed the Wallingford Center at the Best Western Clock Tower Resort to hear about the Illinois Turnaround Plan of lower taxes; responsible spending; transparent, accountable government; and a business friendly environment that empowers entrepreneurs, investors and workers. John Tillman, CEO...

Death to Middle Schools?

09/01/2010
by Collin Hitt An intriguing new study comes from a team of researchers led by Jonah Rockoff. It looks at middle schools in New York City, and compares them to elementary schools with a K through 8 grade span.  Students in the middle schools do worse than their peers who stay in the same school...