Prime working-age Illinoisans leading the state’s population decline
Prime working-age Illinoisans leading the state’s population decline
The current and future workforce is shrinking in Illinois, but growing across the U.S. Making the Prairie State more attractive for families seeking to work and invest is key to fixing this problem.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Suman Chattopadhyay
Illinois 13-year-old charged with eavesdropping felony for recording meeting with principal
Illinois 13-year-old charged with eavesdropping felony for recording meeting with principal
Illinois’ eavesdropping law is one of the nation’s most severe, but leaves ample room for ambiguity.
By Austin Berg
Jason Spyres
Jason Spyres
“I served 15 years in prison, and now owe $268,000 in fines because I sold pot when I was 19 and 20. “I got out of prison and all of my counselors told me, ‘Jason, you get out there and you make the life you told me you were going to make. We’re so proud....
Illinois sees fourth straight month of jobs growth in May
Illinois sees fourth straight month of jobs growth in May
Illinois’ jobs situation improved in May, but the state needs long-term solutions such as a spending cap to get on a path to fiscal health and assure investors more tax hikes are not on the horizon.
By Bryce Hill
New Illinois budget includes $224 million for Obama Presidential Center
New Illinois budget includes $224 million for Obama Presidential Center
The state’s fiscal year 2019 budget is out of balance by as much as $1.5 billion.
By Eddie Damstra
En route to Rauner’s desk: Victories for licensing reform, regulatory rollback and axing golden parachutes
En route to Rauner’s desk: Victories for licensing reform, regulatory rollback and axing golden parachutes
Nearly 600 bills are on their way to the governor, some of which would be encouraging changes to the status quo.
Changes to federal SALT deduction expose Illinois’ high taxes
Changes to federal SALT deduction expose Illinois’ high taxes
House Bill 4237 seeks to get around Congress’ limitation of a federal deduction that benefits high-tax states, but residents would be better served by efforts to directly reduce state and local taxes in Illinois.
By Travis Nix
Nepotistic hires highlight township government waste
Nepotistic hires highlight township government waste
Two McHenry County highway commissioners hired each other’s sons to township government positions in 2017. Despite concerns of nepotism, these practices are not uncommon in township government.
Rahm’s proposal would push Chicago Airbnb taxes above 23 percent
Rahm’s proposal would push Chicago Airbnb taxes above 23 percent
The mayor’s proposed 2 percent fee would punish short-term rental customers and providers.
By Eddie Damstra
State government watchdogs remain far too tame
State government watchdogs remain far too tame
Illinoisans shouldn’t have to wait for yet another humiliating scandal to fix what’s wrong here: Politicians should have no place in policing their own oversight.
By Austin Berg