The contractor who revamped Illinois’ unemployment system to handle self-employed workers is being sued. One of the nearly 32,500 applicants who had private information exposed said it was used to access her bank account.
Illinois’ fiscal year 2021 budget is larger than 2020’s, yet spending on education lost ground without an adjustment for inflation.
Up to 130,000 Illinois homeowners could fall behind on their mortgage payments if state lawmakers fail to provide relief.
State lawmakers last summer doubled Illinois’ gas tax to help pay for capital projects. Each year the gas tax automatically rises, shielding lawmakers from responsibility for hikes.
“Everybody is essential as far as I’m concerned. If one section of our community fails, the whole community fails."
Monthly sales tax collections in Illinois continued sharp declines compared to one year earlier amid strict COVID-19 restrictions. Neighboring states with more open economies fared better.
"The governor needed to reach out more to small businesses because that’s mainly the backbone of our country."
New jobless claims remain several times higher than last year as state begins to test re-opening.
Lawmakers made no serious attempt to balance the new budget, instead counting on a federal bailout.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan has been met with widespread criticism. One suburban mayor publicly assailed Pritzker’s inconsistencies for hurting the economy.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for the fourth time extended by 30 days his emergency powers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses and lawmakers are amending lawsuits in response.
“My employees are starving, so do they feel safe? I try to make them feel as safe as we possibly can. I believe they feel nervous…. I know they’re nervous. I’m nervous."