Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Ashley Lyn

Ashley Lyn

“I need to pay bills. I’m just terrified, because I don’t know what’s going to happen next. “If my job does start back up, it will be five hours a week and I won’t be able to get unemployment. We need to pay our electric [bill]. We have to pay property taxes, water, Internet, phone...

Jarrod Burgess: A. Burgess Locksmith

Jarrod Burgess: A. Burgess Locksmith

“Locksmithing tends to be one of those recession-proof businesses. Unfortunately, when others come across financial pain, we do better, but that all changes when all customers are forced to close."

Federal Reserve throws credit lifeline to near-junk Illinois

Federal Reserve throws credit lifeline to near-junk Illinois

The Federal Reserve announced unprecedented plans to directly purchase up to $500 billion in state and local government bonds. States with poorly managed finances, such as Illinois, stand to benefit most, but long-term threats loom without structural reforms.

By Adam Schuster

Diana Reed: Harper G! Mercantile

Diana Reed: Harper G! Mercantile

“I see a lot of people supporting the bars and restaurants to help keep the small-town businesses alive, and I’m happy for them. But they forget about people like us. I’m not getting promotion from anyone but myself."

Illinois state, local tax burden ranked highest in nation

Illinois state, local tax burden ranked highest in nation

Illinois residents pay more of their income toward state and local taxes than any other state’s residents. A progressive income tax proposal on the ballot in November would raise the state’s total tax burden by $3.7 billion.

By Brad Weisenstein

Katy Stryker Greenbauer: Stryker Strong

Katy Stryker Greenbauer: Stryker Strong

“In Illinois, I feel like I’m just swimming upstream constantly. Delaying property tax collections later on would absolutely help, especially because we don’t know where we’re going to be in October."

Matt Bender: Babes ’N Brushes

Matt Bender: Babes ’N Brushes

“Anything you can do to reduce the regulatory and taxation environment in this state would help.

Brad Morin

Brad Morin

"They need to focus inward as a state and not look for more taxes to solve their apparent spending problem. Balance the budget, reform pensions."