Illinois last among neighbors, 42nd in the nation for jobs growth in 2017
	Illinois last among neighbors, 42nd in the nation for jobs growth in 2017
	
		Illinoisans have become accustomed to a state economy that lags behind those with better business climates.	
				
			By Bryce Hill
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois teachers saw union dues flow to Chicago groups, politics and Madigan
	Illinois teachers saw union dues flow to Chicago groups, politics and Madigan
	
		Government worker unions can use their members' dues in any number of ways. The most recent federal filings of one of Illinois' largest teachers unions reveal millions of dollars directed disproportionately to Chicago and to political causes with which their members may disagree.	
				
			By Mailee Smith
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		DuPage County homeowners: Where do your property taxes go?
	DuPage County homeowners: Where do your property taxes go?
	
		DuPage County billed property tax payers $2.74 billion for 2016; this meant owners of a median-valued home in Naperville worth $388,000 had a $9,000 property tax bill.	
				
			By Amy Korte
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		House bill would require referendum before local tax hikes
	House bill would require referendum before local tax hikes
	
		A new bill introduced in the General Assembly would prohibit local lawmakers from passing tax hikes without voters' permission.	
				
			By Vincent Caruso
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Jackson County residents see state spending grow far faster than local incomes
	Jackson County residents see state spending grow far faster than local incomes
	
		Growth in state spending per capita outpaced per capita personal income growth by nearly 40 percent in Jackson County.	
				
			By Austin Berg
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		East St. Louis Township hires politician to shovel inch of snow
	East St. Louis Township hires politician to shovel inch of snow
	
		East St. Louis Township paid $550 to a politician, who had previously spent four years in federal prison for tax evasion, to clear an inch of snow from the township's parking lot - a task he didn't even complete. 	
		 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Chicago vehicle sticker price increase starts today
	Chicago vehicle sticker price increase starts today
	
		The Office of the City Clerk announced that the change in prices for annual vehicle stickers would follow Consumer Price Index changes.	
				
			By Vincent Caruso
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Senate bill would ban tobacco products, e-cigarettes for Illinoisans under 21
	Senate bill would ban tobacco products, e-cigarettes for Illinoisans under 21
	
		The bill would apply Chicago’s restriction on the smoking age to the entire state.	
				
			By Vincent Caruso
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Sears to cut 220 workers in Hoffman Estates
	Sears to cut 220 workers in Hoffman Estates
	
		The struggling retailer’s latest, immediate cuts come less than a year after it shed 400 jobs in June 2017. 	
				
			By Brendan Bakala
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2018 State of the State Address
	Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2018 State of the State Address
	
		Delivered on Jan. 31, 2018. 	
				
			By illinoispolicy