Inflation leaves Illinoisans with $2,230 pay cut
Inflation leaves Illinoisans with $2,230 pay cut
Consumer prices rose 8.6% in May. Illinois wage growth hasn’t kept up, leaving the average worker over $2,200 worse off.
Inflation nation: Pritzker’s tax hikes
Inflation nation: Pritzker’s tax hikes
What Illinois businesses need to know about Amendment 1
What Illinois businesses need to know about Amendment 1
Amendment 1 would enshrine permanent power for public unions in the state constitution which could mean higher taxes, higher costs, and potentially costly litigation for business owners.
Unintended consequences: Amendment 1 could allow prisoners to unionize
Unintended consequences: Amendment 1 could allow prisoners to unionize
There’s been a 50-year national push to unionize inmate workers in prisons – including a 2020 article published by Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. The rights granted in Amendment 1 to all “employees” could result in Illinois prison unions.
Poll: bipartisan supermajorities of Illinois voters support constitutional pension reform
Poll: bipartisan supermajorities of Illinois voters support constitutional pension reform
Polling showed 61% of Illinois voters would approve an amendment to the state constitution changing future pension benefits while guaranteeing those already earned by public employees. Taxes remain Illinoisans’ top concern.
Pritzker: No ‘silver bullet’ for pension crisis
Pritzker: No ‘silver bullet’ for pension crisis
Gov. J.B Pritzker touted his record on pensions, claiming his administration reduced pension debt. He cites an analysis of state pension data but fails to mention its conclusion suggesting reform.
Pandemic home values in Illinois rose at 3rd-slowest rate nationally
Pandemic home values in Illinois rose at 3rd-slowest rate nationally
Illinois’ history of poor policy decisions left homeowners behind the pandemic era housing boom. Continuing the trend leaves homeowners more susceptible to future downturns.
Ep. 40: What happened after unions locked students out of schools?
Ep. 40: What happened after unions locked students out of schools?
New numbers on public school enrollment show the more school districts kept students from the classroom and in-person learning, the more those schools saw enrollment decline. Amy Korte joins the Policy Shop to walk through what the numbers show about Illinois and talk about what’s next for public policy battles that affect education. Learn more...
Chicago gas prices surpass $6 a gallon
Chicago gas prices surpass $6 a gallon
Illinois gas taxes are driving extra pain at the pump, especially for Chicago residents.
Chicago’s combined state and local taxpayer debt burden worst in the nation
Chicago’s combined state and local taxpayer debt burden worst in the nation
Fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting reports every Chicagoan is on the hook for $135,700 when combining city and state debt.
Gary Meyers
Gary Meyers
“Lowering fuel costs helps the economy grow. When fuel costs go up, logistics become inefficient and hurt the economy, which is the last thing Illinois needs.”
Cooling down an overheated US economy doesn’t have to be painful
Cooling down an overheated US economy doesn’t have to be painful
As jobs growth and wage growth show signs of slowing, tax and regulatory changes could help prevent economic pain.
Cook County board gives itself 10% raise, automatic future pay increases
Cook County board gives itself 10% raise, automatic future pay increases
The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted May 24 to increase its members’ salaries 10% in December, followed by automatic annual pay increases each year up to 3%. Civic groups say the perpetual pay hikes pose future concern.