State lawmakers don’t really care about the budget
State lawmakers don’t really care about the budget
The odds Illinois continues without a budget until 2018 increase sharply if nothing passes before the end of May
Cullerton bill takes wrong approach to Illinois pension reform
Cullerton bill takes wrong approach to Illinois pension reform
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s pension bill could be unconstitutional, is unfair to workers and based on unproven math, and perpetuates Illinois’ broken pension system.
Illinois loses 7,200 jobs in April, workforce shrinks by 17,800
Illinois loses 7,200 jobs in April, workforce shrinks by 17,800
Illinois still has 25,600 fewer jobs compared with the year 2000. Illinois is one of the only states in the country to have fewer jobs today than at the turn of the century.
Butterball to close Montgomery-based plant, costing 600 jobs
Butterball to close Montgomery-based plant, costing 600 jobs
The plant will close its doors by July 17 and offer some employees relocation opportunities.
6 key reasons to say ‘no’ to Flynn Currie pension bill in the Illinois House
6 key reasons to say ‘no’ to Flynn Currie pension bill in the Illinois House
Illinois state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie has introduced a pension bill that is unfair to new and current workers, is potentially unconstitutional, bails out Chicago Public Schools’ pensions, and perpetuates Illinois’ broken pension system.
Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014
Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014
By fixing cost drivers, decreasing the cost of doing business in Illinois, and easing the tax burden, Illinois can encourage jobs growth and stand a better chance at attracting and retaining younger people.
Illinois’ unpaid bills jump to $14.3B
Illinois’ unpaid bills jump to $14.3B
New numbers from the Illinois comptroller’s office show that Illinois’ unpaid bill backlog has climbed to more than $14 billion. In August 2016, Moody’s Investors Service predicted Illinois’ bill backlog would reach $14 billion by summer 2017.
Kennedy-led company used Madigan’s firm for property tax refunds
Kennedy-led company used Madigan’s firm for property tax refunds
Gubernatorial hopeful Chris Kennedy is advocating for “a property tax system that can’t be abused by the wealthy and insiders.” But new documents suggest a Kennedy-led company enlisted the help of the city’s most politically connected property tax law firm to lower its bills.
Lisa Madigan seeks record-breaking 5th term as Illinois attorney general
Lisa Madigan seeks record-breaking 5th term as Illinois attorney general
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will look to extend her record as the longest-serving attorney general in Illinois history. Her father, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, has remained the state’s most powerful state legislative leader throughout her tenure.
Frank Mautino
Frank Mautino
Illinois lawmakers fiddle
Illinois lawmakers fiddle
Illinois lawmakers attempt to bail out Chicago Public Schools yet again
Illinois lawmakers attempt to bail out Chicago Public Schools yet again
State lawmakers’ latest bill not only forces a failed “evidence-based” education funding program on Illinois, but also bails out Chicago Public Schools.
Illinois remains uncompetitive after 2011 workers’ compensation changes
Illinois remains uncompetitive after 2011 workers’ compensation changes
Illinois’ workers’ compensation system costs taxpayers $1 billion per year, and employers repeatedly cite hefty workers’ compensation costs as a driving factor in fleeing the state for friendlier business climates. High workers’ compensation costs most directly affect labor-intensive blue-collar employment sectors – which have struggled to regain their footing in Illinois since the Great Recession. Despite mounting evidence that workers’ compensation...
Political cowardice on workers’ compensation is destroying blue-collar jobs
Political cowardice on workers’ compensation is destroying blue-collar jobs
Illinois is home to the highest workers’ compensation costs in the region, and the weakest manufacturing recovery. New research details pain points and ways to fix the system while protecting worker safety.