Madigan continues to mislead about what’s hurting middle-class wage growth in Illinois

By Michael Lucci

08/08/2016

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan criticizes Gov. Bruce Rauner’s economic reform ideas and offers only growth-killing tax hikes for Illinoisans in need of better jobs and income.

TAGS: household income, jobs, Mike Madigan, personal income

Illinois has worst personal income recovery in Midwest, 2nd-worst in U.S.

By Michael Lucci

08/05/2016

A new study by The Pew Charitable Trusts shows Illinois trails all states but Nevada in personal income growth since the Great Recession, with a growth rate half that of Illinois’ neighbors.

TAGS: household income, jobs, personal income

Madigan’s middle-class myth

By Austin Berg

08/04/2016

Less than half of Illinois households are defined as middle class.

TAGS: household income, income tax, middle class, Mike Madigan, taxes

AFSCME analysis FAQ: Illinois state workers highest-paid in nation

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

05/27/2016

Illinois AFSCME workers enjoy yearly wages of nearly $60,000 when adjusted for cost of living, in addition to Cadillac health care benefits. Most Illinois state workers will also get free health insurance when they retire, and career state retirees receive $1.6 million in pension benefits on average.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees

Reforming Illinois’ nonviolent Class 4 felony statutes

By Lauren Krisai

05/11/2016

The debt never paid: Re-entry reforms for Illinois

By Bryant Jackson-Green

03/31/2016

How to reform a broken criminal-justice system that prevents ex-offenders from achieving self-sufficiency

Reforms that get ex-offenders back to work – and keep them out of jail – could save Illinois millions

By Bryant Jackson-Green

03/28/2016

Even a very small reduction in recidivism – just 5 percent – would save Illinois taxpayers nearly $187 million over nine years. But if Illinois’ recidivism rate stays the same, taxpayers will pay approximately $5.7 billion for recidivism costs over the next five years.

TAGS: criminal justice reform

Madigan’s middle class: Pain for the many, perks for the few

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/26/2016

Middle-class Illinoisans who aren’t employed by the government are suffering, but Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan stands in the way of solutions.

Updating felony theft laws can help Illinois save money without harming public safety

By Bryant Jackson-Green

03/01/2016

A new study by The Pew Charitable Trusts shows states that adjusted their felony theft laws have not seen an increase in crime. To save on corrections costs, Illinois should update its theft thresholds, too.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, felony theft

Illinoisans see 2nd-worst income growth in the nation since recession

By Austin Berg

02/16/2016

While Illinoisans’ incomes have flatlined since the recession, state tax revenue has grown by more than that in almost every state in the nation.

The Pew Charitable Trusts

Madigan continues to mislead about what’s hurting middle-class wage growth in Illinois

Illinois has worst personal income recovery in Midwest, 2nd-worst in U.S.

Madigan’s middle-class myth

AFSCME analysis FAQ: Illinois state workers highest-paid in nation

Reforming Illinois’ nonviolent Class 4 felony statutes

The debt never paid: Re-entry reforms for Illinois

Reforms that get ex-offenders back to work – and keep them out of jail – could save Illinois millions

Madigan’s middle class: Pain for the many, perks for the few

Updating felony theft laws can help Illinois save money without harming public safety

Illinoisans see 2nd-worst income growth in the nation since recession

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