Fact check: Private sector workers excluded from Amendment 1

By Mailee Smith

10/06/2022

Despite proponents’ claims, the rights outlined in Amendment 1 cannot apply to non-government employees. U.S. Supreme Court precedent already makes that clear. So did the proposal’s Illinois Senate sponsor.

TAGS: Amendment 1

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

By Joe Tabor

08/17/2022

Published Aug. 17, 2022 Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension...

4 of Illinois’ past 10 governors went to prison

By Hannah Schmid

04/11/2022

Four of the past 10 former Illinois governors are among the public officials who have been convicted of offenses in Illinois. The state needs stricter ethics reforms to change its culture of corruption.

TAGS: corruption, governors, Illinois, prison

Illinois Senate bill intended to kill local worker freedom laws in Illinois

By Amy Korte

05/03/2017

The Illinois Senate has passed a bill to overturn municipal Right-to-Work ordinances and prevent Illinois localities from expanding worker freedom in their communities.

TAGS: Ira Silverstein, labor, right to work, unions

Court strikes down ban on campaign contributions from medical marijuana licensees

03/24/2017

“By singling out medical cannabis organizations,” Judge Lee wrote, the state of Illinois appeared to be favoring certain speakers based on their viewpoints – precisely the type of discrimination the Supreme Court has disapproved of in the past.

TAGS: marijuana

Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016

By Chris Lentino

12/27/2016

It’s no secret Chicago aldermen aren’t friendly to outsider businesses and innovative industries. Here’s a look at some of the most egregious examples from 2016.

TAGS: Airbnb, Chicago, collaborative economy, food trucks, homesharing, regulations, Uber

How the Liberty Justice Center fought for freedom in 2015

12/29/2015

From challenging the forced unionization of home caregivers and day care providers to suing to stop Chicago from collecting a “Netflix tax,” the Liberty Justice Center has fought for its clients’ constitutional rights and against illegal taxation.

Springfield’s panhandling prohibition struck down as violation of freedom of speech

By Jeffrey Schwab

08/26/2015

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that Springfield’s ban on panhandling unconstitutionally discriminated against certain kinds of speech.

Federal court declines to rule on whether pension clause protects Chicago health benefits

02/26/2015

Now Illinois state courts will decide whether it is constitutional to the city to reduce retiree health benefits.

TAGS: pensions

Insurers’ ObamaCare escape hatch

By Naomi Lopez Bauman

10/22/2014

Insurers wouldn’t participate in the federal health exchange without an escape clause protecting them from the possibility that IRS subsidies would be ruled illegal, according to industry news. It was a smart move, as that possibility just got more likely in recent weeks. At issue is what the plain text of Section 1401 of the Affordable Care...

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Fact check: Private sector workers excluded from Amendment 1

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

4 of Illinois’ past 10 governors went to prison

Illinois Senate bill intended to kill local worker freedom laws in Illinois

Court strikes down ban on campaign contributions from medical marijuana licensees

Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016

How the Liberty Justice Center fought for freedom in 2015

Springfield’s panhandling prohibition struck down as violation of freedom of speech

Federal court declines to rule on whether pension clause protects Chicago health benefits

Insurers’ ObamaCare escape hatch

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