College students were fleeing Illinois long before the budget impasse
College students were fleeing Illinois long before the budget impasse
Illinois lost 195,000 more college-bound students than it gained from 2000-2014.
Veterans courts heal scars we can’t see
Veterans courts heal scars we can’t see
This Memorial Day, we honor those who have fallen. Let’s not forget to extend a hand up to those who remain.
Rosemont to build taxpayer-funded baseball stadium
Rosemont to build taxpayer-funded baseball stadium
The village of Rosemont is moving forward on a $60 million taxpayer-funded baseball stadium.
Illinois tax hike: This time it’s permanent
Illinois tax hike: This time it’s permanent
Illinois has lost 195,000 millennial college students since 2000
Illinois has lost 195,000 millennial college students since 2000
Illinois lost more millennial college students than any other state except New Jersey between 2000 and 2014, and Illinois’ loss of young people appears to be accelerating.
Fact-checking BGA’s claims on ‘low-spending’ Illinois
Fact-checking BGA’s claims on ‘low-spending’ Illinois
While the Better Government Association has claimed Illinois’ budget contains no fat to trim, a deeper analysis reveals the state has many areas of expensive inefficiency to reform in state and local government costs, the Medicaid program and K-12 education.
Illinois Senate Democrats pass $5.4B tax increase
Illinois Senate Democrats pass $5.4B tax increase
Each Illinois household would pay an additional $1,125 in taxes each year, on average, under the Senate's tax-hike plan.
7 Illinois properties rank among nation’s top 100 property tax bills
7 Illinois properties rank among nation’s top 100 property tax bills
Though most of the top 100 property tax bills came from New York, the state with the second most entries was Illinois. The 13th highest bill in the country belonged to Exelon’s nuclear generating station in Byron, Illinois, totaling $36.5 million in 2016.
State Rep. Ives’ Senate tax hike roadblock
State Rep. Ives’ Senate tax hike roadblock
Illinois tax hikes
Illinois tax hikes
Akuna Capital signed tax break deal with state of Illinois estimated to be worth $4.5M
Akuna Capital signed tax break deal with state of Illinois estimated to be worth $4.5M
In 2015, Chicago-headquartered Akuna Capital LLC signed a deal with the state of Illinois that state officials estimated to be worth $4.5 million. As part of the agreement, Akuna agreed to hire 10 new employees. The agreement states the new hires specialized in trading and software.
Illinois owes $3.5M in past-due utility bills
Illinois owes $3.5M in past-due utility bills
The state government owes the City Water, Light and Power of Springfield $3.5 million on past-due utility bills for state offices. The past-due utility bills are just one part of Illinois’ more than $14.3 billion bill backlog.
Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate
Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate
Only 51 percent of black adults reported having some form of work in Illinois.