Ep. 14: Illinois’ local pension monster with Adam Schuster
Ep. 14: Illinois’ local pension monster with Adam Schuster
Guest: Adam Schuster
$20M Illinois Tollway machines get parked after 4 years
$20M Illinois Tollway machines get parked after 4 years
Illinois Tollway’s automatic toll payment machines cost as much as they collected in four years, but are now permanently idled. Most were incapable of making change, so overcharged drivers nearly $500,000.
Peoria mayor on pensions: ‘We’ll never catch up, not in our lifetimes’
Peoria mayor on pensions: ‘We’ll never catch up, not in our lifetimes’
Peoria leaders said they are in ‘survival mode’ and need to take $4 million from this year’s budget to help make pension payments for the next two years. The mayor calls for state action to fix the pension debt crisis.
DAILY LINKS / 2.2.2024
Center Square: Measure limiting police pullovers a ‘conversation starter,’ expected to stall Sun-Times: Illinois redistricting defined by lack of transparency, gerrymandering NBC Chicago: Where you should and shouldn't put your new I-PASS sticker, according to the tollway Center Square: Film production tax credit spurring economic growth in IllinoisIllinois drivers pay $1,119 extra a year thanks to bad roads, bridges
Illinois drivers pay $1,119 extra a year thanks to bad roads, bridges
Illinois ranked 14th worst in the nation for road infrastructure with 20% of state roadways non-acceptable and 12% of bridges in poor condition by federal standards. It was near last in spending on repairs.
Naperville mayor: ‘It’s time to drop the mask mandate in Illinois’
Naperville mayor: ‘It’s time to drop the mask mandate in Illinois’
The mayor of Illinois’ third-largest city, Naperville, said it is time for Illinois to drop its statewide indoor mask mandate. Illinois is the only state east of the Mississippi with an indoor mask mandate regardless of vaccination status.
Ulysses Salamanca: Flash Taco
Ulysses Salamanca: Flash Taco
“We have a slogan that we live by: ‘Life without Mexican food is no life at all.’"
Illinois gains small businesses, but restaurants still slow to rebound
Illinois gains small businesses, but restaurants still slow to rebound
This Small Business Saturday, Illinois has more entrepreneurs than before the COVID-19 pandemic. But the recovery has been uneven as some types of small businesses struggle and many jobs are missing as Illinois lags the national rebound.
Voters being asked to change Illinois Constitution to benefit one group
Voters being asked to change Illinois Constitution to benefit one group
Special interest groups shouldn’t be singled out for protection in the Illinois Constitution, but state lawmakers are asking voters to change that. If passed, Amendment 1 would protect government unions at the expense of everyone else.
Government unions dictate when Illinois Constitution needs changes
Government unions dictate when Illinois Constitution needs changes
In 2022, Illinois voters will face the biggest union power grab yet.
Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families
Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families
Kiplinger report finds Illinois’ sales, income and property taxes on middle-income families rank among the highest in the nation, making prospective residents think twice about moving to the state.
Ep. 13: Thankful for Illinois small businesses with special guest Anderson’s Candy Shop
Ep. 13: Thankful for Illinois small businesses with special guest Anderson’s Candy Shop
Guest: Katie Anderson
Women driving Illinois’ labor market recovery
Women driving Illinois’ labor market recovery
Illinois’ labor market has heated up, gaining 40,900 jobs in October. It was the largest increase in 2021 as women, especially minority women, returned to work
Food stamps put Thanksgiving on more Illinois tables
Food stamps put Thanksgiving on more Illinois tables
Illinoisans are more likely to give thanks that their Thanksgiving meal was purchased with food stamps than in any surrounding state. As the national participation declines, SNAP in Illinois has grown.