Despite financial crisis, Chicago State University pays lobbyists, Madigan spokesman hundreds of thousands
Despite financial crisis, Chicago State University pays lobbyists, Madigan spokesman hundreds of thousands
Chicago State University spent more than $200,000 lobbying Springfield politicians, while deteriorating finances caused it to lay off hundreds of employees, including professors.
New bill would even the playing field for third-party and independent candidates
New bill would even the playing field for third-party and independent candidates
Senate Bill 63 would make signature requirements to get on the ballot uniform for all candidates.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois extends failed corporate tax credit program
Illinois extends failed corporate tax credit program
Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an extension of the EDGE tax credit program, though the program has an unsuccessful record of using taxpayer money.
Illinois lost 5 residents per day to Kentucky in 2015
Illinois lost 5 residents per day to Kentucky in 2015
Expect Kentucky to gain even more Illinoisans in coming years.
By Madelyn Harwood
Illinois needs a vision, not just a budget
Illinois needs a vision, not just a budget
The Illinois Senate budget proposal merely puts off the state’s day of reckoning through more of the same: tax hikes, borrowing and spending, without the necessary reforms to put the state on a path to fiscal and economic health.
By Ted Dabrowski
Illinois Supreme Court ends Chicago tax on suburban car rentals
Illinois Supreme Court ends Chicago tax on suburban car rentals
The Illinois Supreme Court shut down a tax Chicago was imposing on car rentals outside city limits, noting the potentially chaotic nature of the policy.
6 highlights from Illinois criminal justice commission’s final report
6 highlights from Illinois criminal justice commission’s final report
The criminal justice commission’s recommendations work toward providing more opportunity for ex-offenders and reducing the state’s prison population.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois loses 16,700 jobs in face of new tax hike proposals
Illinois loses 16,700 jobs in face of new tax hike proposals
New Illinois jobs data reveal a state with thousands of job losses, unemployment rising to 5.7 percent, a collapsing manufacturing sector, and several downstate communities sliding back into recession — all of which make the Illinois Senate’s new tax hike proposal especially harmful.
By Michael Lucci
The Illinois state senators who pledged not to raise taxes
The Illinois state senators who pledged not to raise taxes
As pressure mounts on state senators and representatives to vote in favor of multibillion-dollar tax hikes, lawmakers should remember the promises they’ve made to taxpayers.
By Brendan Bakala
AFSCME strike would be illegal if, as AFSCME claims, there is no impasse
AFSCME strike would be illegal if, as AFSCME claims, there is no impasse
Illinois law provides state workers a right to strike – but only if a strike is legal. State workers represented by AFSCME can go on strike only if the union and the state are at impasse in contract negotiations – and AFSCME claims they are not.
By Mailee Smith
What an AFSCME strike would mean for workers, residents
What an AFSCME strike would mean for workers, residents
As an AFSCME strike looms on the horizon, many are questioning how a strike would affect state workers and Illinois residents. While a potential strike should have minimal impact on residents, AFSCME members have much more to lose.
By Mailee Smith
AFSCME strike vote: Understanding the timeline of a potential first-ever AFSCME strike in Illinois
AFSCME strike vote: Understanding the timeline of a potential first-ever AFSCME strike in Illinois
The union representing Illinois state workers scheduled a strike authorization vote for sometime between Jan. 30 and Feb. 19 – and it could be the first AFSCME strike in state history.
By Mailee Smith