Worker freedom: More than 3,700 Illinois state workers stopped paying money to a union in 2018

By Vincent Caruso

12/23/2018

Of the more than 3,700 Illinois state workers who stopped sending part of every paycheck to a union, 2,800 stopped sending their money to AFSCME.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, fair share, Janus v. AFSCME, unions

Madigan’s money: AFSCME spending trail reveals extensive and hidden political activity

By Mailee Smith, Joe Tabor

11/01/2018

AFSCME Council 31, its PAC and AFSCME headquarters are major political players, funneling millions of dollars every year to Democrats or self-proclaimed progressive organizations.

Just 20% of AFSCME Council 31 spending goes toward representing workers

By Mailee Smith

07/17/2018

The union’s own reporting shows only 20 percent of its overall spending is on “representational activities,” which should cause members to question what they are paying for.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Janus v. AFSCME, spending

Illinois government worker unions spend millions on political activities and lobbying

By Mailee Smith

06/27/2018

Government workers’ union dues are passed on to state and national affiliates, which spend millions of dollars on political activities and lobbying every year.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, Janus v. AFSCME, lobbying

Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers

By Adam Schuster

06/14/2018

It is time to give taxpayers and businesses the certainty they need to plan a long-term future in the state.

Senate President John Cullerton says Illinois doesn’t need a revenue estimate

By Adam Schuster

05/09/2018

Agreeing on how much money one has to spend is a basic first step of budgeting.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, COGFA: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, GOMB: Governor's Office of Management and Budget, Illinois Constitution, John Cullerton

New bill would allow state to place a lien on business owners’ property for unpaid wage allegations

02/27/2018

A bill in the Illinois House of Representatives would allow the Illinois Department of Labor to place a lien on a business owner's property should he or she fail to respond to an allegation of unpaid wages within five days.

TAGS: Chris Welch, Department of Labor, jobs, small business, taxes

Building fairness and opportunity: The effects of repealing Illinois’ prevailing wage law

By Orphe Divounguy

12/07/2017

Illinois’ Prevailing Wage Act has no place in the 21st century. Policymakers should enact fair and competitive construction laws that give all individuals who are willing to work a fighting chance.

River Forest District 90 will pay 100 percent of teacher pension contributions

By Mailee Smith

09/15/2017

In the midst of Illinois’ pension crisis, River Forest District 90 has agreed to pay 100 percent of teacher contributions to the Teachers' Retirement System – and it did so secretly.

TAGS: pensions, teacher salaries, TRS: Teachers’ Retirement System

Rauner vetoes bill imposing new trampoline regulations

08/28/2017

A bill Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed Aug. 25 would have imposed new regulations and fees upon businesses to enforce trampoline safety measures.

TAGS: Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Act, Department of Labor, Elaine Nekritz, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, regulations, Robert Martwick, Robyn Gabel, Trampoline Court Safety Fund

United States Department of Labor

Worker freedom: More than 3,700 Illinois state workers stopped paying money to a union in 2018

Madigan’s money: AFSCME spending trail reveals extensive and hidden political activity

Just 20% of AFSCME Council 31 spending goes toward representing workers

Illinois government worker unions spend millions on political activities and lobbying

Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers

Senate President John Cullerton says Illinois doesn’t need a revenue estimate

New bill would allow state to place a lien on business owners’ property for unpaid wage allegations

Building fairness and opportunity: The effects of repealing Illinois’ prevailing wage law

River Forest District 90 will pay 100 percent of teacher pension contributions

Rauner vetoes bill imposing new trampoline regulations

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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