Illinois prison inmates to get ID cards upon release
Illinois prison inmates to get ID cards upon release
Inmates should have fewer troubles returning to their lives thanks to a new program intended to hand them an ID as they leave Illinois prisons.
Union bosses, not voters, will decide how to run Illinois if Amendment 1 passes
Union bosses, not voters, will decide how to run Illinois if Amendment 1 passes
Amendment 1 would constitutionally prohibit Illinois lawmakers from pulling back on union power. It would give government union bosses more power than voters and than those elected to represent voters’ interests.
Steep property tax hikes to hit Chicago businesses struggling from pandemic
Steep property tax hikes to hit Chicago businesses struggling from pandemic
While phasing in the tax impact of sharp increases in assessed value could help Cook County’s commercial property owners adjust, holding down property taxes requires reducing spending through public pension reform in Illinois.
Ep. 10: Government unions’ big power play with Mailee Smith
Ep. 10: Government unions’ big power play with Mailee Smith
Guest: Mailee Smith
Sol Lieberman
Sol Lieberman
“This year, our assessment increased 540%, and we fear next year our taxes will see a substantial increase. We’re appealing, but if our taxes continue to rise at such high rates, there is a good chance they will be putting us out of business."
What unions aren’t telling Illinois teachers: Your pension is in trouble
What unions aren’t telling Illinois teachers: Your pension is in trouble
Barring reforms, the Teachers’ Retirement System could eventually run out of money and be unable to pay promised benefits to retirees, all while making it more expensive for teachers to live in Illinois.
All-time record 201,000 Illinoisans quit their jobs in August
All-time record 201,000 Illinoisans quit their jobs in August
Illinois’ sluggish labor market is driven by a record number of workers quitting their jobs at the same time there are fewer job opportunities than in nearly any other state. Even though an all-time record number of workers quit, Illinois was only No. 7 in the “Great Resignation.”
Democrats pass gerrymandered congressional map No. 4
Democrats pass gerrymandered congressional map No. 4
Illinois Democrats finally passed the fourth draft of their congressional district map after earlier versions prompted criticism from the Hispanic community and even fellow Democrats. A university gave several versions an “F.”
Chicago budget hands $500 monthly to some, higher property taxes to others
Chicago budget hands $500 monthly to some, higher property taxes to others
Chicago will spend $32 million on the nation’s largest test of universal basic income. What happens after that year is one question, as is whether handing out cash will truly fix anything.
Halloween: Trick or treat
Halloween: Trick or treat
Chicago police union chief says dethrone Lightfoot over COVID-19 mandates
Chicago police union chief says dethrone Lightfoot over COVID-19 mandates
Immediately after a judge ended the gag order on Chicago’s police union president, he went right after Mayor Lori Lightfoot again about her COVID-19 vaccination mandate and reporting policy. Some aldermen joined his crusade.
Halloween: No spoilers
Halloween: No spoilers
Ep. 9: Why is Illinois so corrupt? with Austin Berg
Ep. 9: Why is Illinois so corrupt? with Austin Berg
Guest: Austin Berg
Illinois’ gambling revenue chase closes in on Chicago casinos
Illinois’ gambling revenue chase closes in on Chicago casinos
Chicago is getting closer to getting a casino, but more ways and places to gamble do not necessarily mean more state revenue. Illinois would be better off betting on pension reform.