Illinois House passes bill to make it harder for public employees to leave unions, recover fees
Illinois House passes bill to make it harder for public employees to leave unions, recover fees
SB 1784 would hurt workers trying to stop paying union dues, give unions greater access to them and their personal information.
By Joe Tabor
Chicago teachers recover pension contributions 5 months into retirement
Chicago teachers recover pension contributions 5 months into retirement
After retiring at age 55, the average Chicago teacher just takes five months to get back everything they contributed toward their pension during their career.
By Adam Schuster
Illinois Assistant Majority Leader arrested on federal bribery charge
Illinois Assistant Majority Leader arrested on federal bribery charge
State Rep. Luis Arroyo was a key supporter of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $45 billion infrastructure package, which was funded in part by a gambling expansion and doubling the state’s gas tax.
By Austin Berg
Halloween rules on times, ages and dark houses await Illinois trick-or-treaters
Halloween rules on times, ages and dark houses await Illinois trick-or-treaters
Oak Park is creating specific trick-or-treating hours this Halloween. Other municipalities in Illinois have even scarier Halloween rules.
Illinois unemployment rate hits low despite tepid jobs growth
Illinois unemployment rate hits low despite tepid jobs growth
Illinois’ unemployment rate hit 3.9% in September – the first time in decades that the jobless rate went under 4%, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
By illinoispolicy
California’s ‘fair tax’ hike spurred taxpayer exodus, hurt middle class and went mostly to pensions
California’s ‘fair tax’ hike spurred taxpayer exodus, hurt middle class and went mostly to pensions
New academic research on a progressive income tax hike in California should be a warning to Illinois voters deciding on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax hike in November 2020.
By Orphe Divounguy
Pension consolidation is a tiny step in fixing Illinois’ gigantic problem
Pension consolidation is a tiny step in fixing Illinois’ gigantic problem
If Illinois groups could come together to bring the same enthusiasm and support to a constitutional amendment, the state could fix its pension problem once and for all.
By Adam Schuster
Chicago suburbs raided by FBI have ties to Madigan’s son
Chicago suburbs raided by FBI have ties to Madigan’s son
Four municipalities targeted in a sweeping corruption probe have all contracted with Alliant/Mesirow, where House Speaker Mike Madigan’s son works to secure insurance deals with local governments.
By Austin Berg
Chicago school worker says she was assaulted for crossing picket line
Chicago school worker says she was assaulted for crossing picket line
Yedidah Reuben said two union members attacked her for trying to work.
By Austin Berg
Former Lake Forest city manager indicted following Amtrak lobbying scandal
Former Lake Forest city manager indicted following Amtrak lobbying scandal
A grand jury indicted Lake Forest’s longtime city manager for making $200,000 in unauthorized payments to a lobbying firm in an effort to attract funding for an unpopular proposed Amtrak stop.
By Vincent Caruso
Pritzker gas tax to help fund $205.5M ‘exit to nowhere’
Pritzker gas tax to help fund $205.5M ‘exit to nowhere’
Gov. J.B. Pritzker just bumped up funding for road construction to a non-existent airport to $205.5 million, paid in part with his doubled gas tax. The airport remains a distant idea, but the road will soon be concrete.
Kentucky billboards advertise Illinois’ woes to lure businesses
Kentucky billboards advertise Illinois’ woes to lure businesses
Kentucky’s economic developers are using billboards along Interstate 57 to bring businesses south by highlighting Illinois’ poor finances, high taxes and unwelcoming business climate.
By Brad Weisenstein
Poll: Pritzker drops to among least popular governors in the nation
Poll: Pritzker drops to among least popular governors in the nation
Less than one year into Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s first term, a new poll shows the governor’s popularity ranks eight spots from the bottom.
By Vincent Caruso