Illinois colleges receive credit rating upgrade, but structural problems remain

By Robert Brutvan

07/26/2017

Many reforms are still needed in Illinois higher education system despite credit rating affirmations and upgrades to seven Illinois universities.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, education, higher education

Moody’s downgrades 7 Illinois universities, 5 are junk

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/13/2017

Illinois universities have hiked tuition and relied on state subsidies to pay for exorbitant administrative salaries — and now credit rating agencies are punishing them for that destructive behavior.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, CSU: Chicago State University, EIU: Eastern Illinois University, higher education, Illinois Board of Higher Education, Moody's Investor Service, NIU: Northeastern Illinois University, University of Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, WIU: Western Illinois University

Constitutional amendment term limiting legislative leaders advances

05/19/2017

A bill that would apply term limits to legislative leaders in the Illinois House and Senate cleared a major hurdle May 19, and is scheduled for a second reading May 22.

TAGS: Christine Radogno, Illinois Senate, term limits

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

By Madelyn Harwood

05/17/2017

By fixing cost drivers, decreasing the cost of doing business in Illinois, and easing the tax burden, Illinois can encourage jobs growth and stand a better chance at attracting and retaining younger people.

Legislation would allow people convicted of cannabis offenses to petition for expungement if Illinois legalizes marijuana

By Hilary Gowins

03/30/2017

A proposed amendment to Illinois’ Criminal Identification Act would allow people to petition to have their arrest and conviction records cleared of any cannabis-related offenses that Illinois ultimately takes off the books through marijuana legalization.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, expungement, Kelly Cassidy, Marcus Evans, marijuana

Poll shows ‘large majorities’ of Illinois voters support legalizing marijuana

By Hilary Gowins

03/27/2017

Illinoisans of all ages, political party affiliations and regions of the state favor legalizing marijuana and regulating and taxing it like alcohol, as provided in legislation proposed by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy on March 22.

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

For many Illinoisans, the next recession is already here

By Austin Berg

01/31/2017

Illinois lost 11,000 manufacturing jobs in 2016.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing

Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2017 State of the State Address

By illinoispolicy

01/25/2017

Delivered on Jan. 25, 2017.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, State of the State

Illinois Senate passes term limits for legislative leaders

By Austin Berg

01/13/2017

The Senate on Inauguration Day took action to limit the power of its legislative leaders. Meanwhile, House Democrats re-elected Mike Madigan as House speaker, ensuring he will become the longest-tenured legislative leader in modern American history.

TAGS: Christine Radogno, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan, term limits

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.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Illinois colleges receive credit rating upgrade, but structural problems remain

Moody’s downgrades 7 Illinois universities, 5 are junk

Constitutional amendment term limiting legislative leaders advances

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

Legislation would allow people convicted of cannabis offenses to petition for expungement if Illinois legalizes marijuana

Poll shows ‘large majorities’ of Illinois voters support legalizing marijuana

For many Illinoisans, the next recession is already here

Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2017 State of the State Address

Illinois Senate passes term limits for legislative leaders

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

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