Rauner issues executive orders banning nepotism in state hires, eliminating 53 inactive state boards
	Rauner issues executive orders banning nepotism in state hires, eliminating 53 inactive state boards
	
		The governor issued a pair of executive orders aimed at improving ethics and efficiency in state government.	
				
			By Vincent Caruso
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois residents will pay additional online sales tax starting Oct. 1
	Illinois residents will pay additional online sales tax starting Oct. 1
	
		As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc., most online purchases in Illinois will now be subject to automatic collection of the state’s 6.25 percent use tax. 	
				
			By Adam Schuster
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois’ economy shed 5,200 jobs in August, the first drop in 2018
	Illinois’ economy shed 5,200 jobs in August, the first drop in 2018
	
		Illinois experienced net job losses in August, while the rest of the nation saw continued growth on average.	
				
			By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Suman Chattopadhyay
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Lawsuit claims Chicago red-light cameras violate state law
	Lawsuit claims Chicago red-light cameras violate state law
	
		A class-action lawsuit claims Chicago’s red-light camera program fails to provide ticketed motorists with information required by state law.	
				
			By Chris Lentino
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Rahm to push e-cigarette ‘sin tax’ hike, product restrictions
	Rahm to push e-cigarette ‘sin tax’ hike, product restrictions
	
		The proposed City Council ordinance would hike Chicago’s sales tax on liquid nicotine and mandate that stores keep vaping products below the counter.	
				
			By Janelle Cammenga
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		When taxes hit home(s)
	When taxes hit home(s)
	
		Making Illinois a more attractive state in which to plant roots is entirely within lawmakers’ control.	
				
			By Austin Berg
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Manufacturer to shutter 2 Illinois plants, open $26M Indiana facility
	Manufacturer to shutter 2 Illinois plants, open $26M Indiana facility
	
		Accepting a deal that includes $6 million in subsidies, Wynright Corporation will expand its operations in Indiana and close plants in suburban Elk Grove and Oak Lawn.	
				
			By Vincent Caruso
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Report: TIFs fall short of economic development promises
	Report: TIFs fall short of economic development promises
	
		A new report analyzes the effects of “tax increment financing” on communities across the nation – and calls into question the merits of the widely used development tool. 	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Crowding out: Chicago pension fund demands intercept of state grant money
	Crowding out: Chicago pension fund demands intercept of state grant money
	
		The Chicago firefighters pension fund has filed claims with the Illinois comptroller for $3.3 million in shorted pension contributions, an action that could worsen city finances and service delivery. 	
				
			By Adam Schuster
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois development authority ends payments to official’s side business following Institute investigation
	Illinois development authority ends payments to official’s side business following Institute investigation
	
		Lax oversight of Illinois’ little-known regional development authorities has led to questionable business arrangements with one official in particular.	
				
			By Austin Berg
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Adan and Cynthia Villafranca
	Adan and Cynthia Villafranca
	
		“My parents came [to the United States] in 1969. I grew up in the Chicago area. “When Cynthia and I got engaged, we started home searching. We wanted a place ready to go. “I knew nothing about [the cost of] homeownership until I started to home search. I was looking in Oak Lawn, Oak Forest,...