Illinois’ less-populated areas lead May jobs decline
Illinois’ less-populated areas lead May jobs decline
Illinois shed 7,900 jobs in May but most of those losses were outside of urban areas.
Illinois may pay bonuses to get workers to take jobs again
Illinois may pay bonuses to get workers to take jobs again
To combat above-average unemployment, Illinois state leaders discussed a possible back-to-work bonus. The state would pay cash to those who go off unemployment.
Pritzker’s tipsy budgeting
Pritzker’s tipsy budgeting
Competitive elections raise voter participation, uncontested elections hinder democracy
Competitive elections raise voter participation, uncontested elections hinder democracy
On average, more than 4.7 million voting-age Illinoisans live in districts where there was only one option for the state House on the ballot, undermining their representation. Roughly half of all Illinois House races were uncontested under Illinois’ gerrymandered 2011 district map.
Illinois government unions kill chances for more school money, nurse prospects, police reforms
Illinois government unions kill chances for more school money, nurse prospects, police reforms
Unions put up roadblocks for bills that could have freed up more money for Illinois classrooms, expanded opportunities for Illinois health care workers and ensured police officers are subject to better accountability under state law.
Jolene Stotler
Jolene Stotler
“To work for UPS in Illinois, it’s mandatory to be a part of the Teamsters union. After being there for about four-and-a-half years, the Teamsters just created a very toxic environment, especially for a female to work in, so I quit.”
Feds indict Chicago alderman for trading city favors for home improvements
Feds indict Chicago alderman for trading city favors for home improvements
Chicago’s second-longest-serving alderman became the third sitting Chicago City Council member to come under federal indictment. She faces bribery charges.
Promise of $10 million COVID-19 shot lottery fails to boost vaccinations
Promise of $10 million COVID-19 shot lottery fails to boost vaccinations
On July 8, Illinois will begin the “All in for the Win” lottery with $10 million in federal funds used as prizes to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. Three weeks after the shot lottery announcement, vaccination rates have dropped by more than half.
Pritzker on Illinois exodus: This is fine
Pritzker on Illinois exodus: This is fine
CDC report: 1 in 10 Illinois students learned in-person for 8 months of pandemic
CDC report: 1 in 10 Illinois students learned in-person for 8 months of pandemic
Illinois ranked 9th worst in the nation for offering students access to full-time in-person learning between September 2020 and April 2021 – less than any other Midwest state.
New study gives Illinois an ‘F’ for civics and history education standards
New study gives Illinois an ‘F’ for civics and history education standards
A recent study by the Fordham Institute critiqued Illinois’ education standards for U.S. history and civics education. Illinois’ standards lacked mention of historical concepts and did not offer goals for what each grade should learn in civics and U.S. History.
Chicago and Cook County raise minimum wage today
Chicago and Cook County raise minimum wage today
The minimum wage for residents working in Chicago and Cook County is increasing July 1. Research suggests the rise in wage rates will benefit the working Chicagoans at the expense of the city’s vulnerable unemployed.
Pritzker’s crappy gift to Illinois voters
Pritzker’s crappy gift to Illinois voters
Illinois school superintendents demand immediate COVID-19 guidance
Illinois school superintendents demand immediate COVID-19 guidance
Illinois schools will be treated more restrictively than any other public venues, threatening students’ educations across the state. Superintendents are demanding up-to-date, commonsense COVID-19 guidance to prep for the upcoming school year.