Yes, Illinois still bans fireworks By Austin Berg 07/02/2015 The Land of Lincoln is one of only seven states to impose harsh restrictions on the sale and possession of fireworks. TAGS: fireworks ban
Illinois politicians should take note as Greek, Puerto Rican debts blow up: ‘This is not politics, this is math’ By Michael Lucci 06/29/2015 For Greece and Puerto Rico, avoiding sustainable solutions has lead to fiscal ruin. When will Illinois’ lawmakers stop whistling past the graveyard? TAGS: budget, Chicago, debt, pensions, Puerto Rico
Speaker Madigan falsely promotes Bureau of Labor Statistics report as ‘good news’ By Michael Lucci 06/25/2015 The economic report is yet another indictment of the status quo in Illinois. TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs, Mike Madigan
BLS report reveals Illinois lags on jobs and wage growth By Michael Lucci 06/19/2015 On national, regional and county-level comparisons, the report was negative for Illinois. TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs
Suspending state energy assistance opens door for reform in Illinois 06/09/2015 With the right reforms, Illinois can provide energy assistance to people who need it without using scarce state dollars. TAGS: State Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
‘Bond Girl’ on Chicago and the quality of credit analysis in the municipal bond market 05/29/2015 The insight in Culpepper’s report is detailed and damning. TAGS: Chicago
Crony chronicles: Certificates of need By Austin Berg 05/14/2015 How an Illinois state board known mainly for corruption operates a Soviet-style system proven to fail.
Illinois’ property taxes are out of control, let taxpayers take driver’s seat By David Giuliani 05/13/2015 Piecemeal fixes to the state’s property-tax problem have failed. It’s time to give the purse strings back to average Illinoisans. TAGS: budget, property taxes, taxes
Illinois Supreme Court: Nothing is more important than government workers’ right to your tax dollars 05/08/2015 In their SB 1 ruling, Illinois Supreme Court justices indicate that paying for pensions is more important than funding core government services. TAGS: Illinois Supreme Court, pensions
Forging failure: The truth about Illinois’ manufacturing meltdown By Austin Berg 05/07/2015 Thousands of Illinois manufacturing jobs aren’t going to anonymous sweatshops overseas, they’re simply crossing state lines. TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, right to work, workers compensation