Making sense of the economics of Illinois
Making sense of the economics of Illinois
Illinois has all of the necessary elements for success.
Illinois lawmaker proposes taxing landscaping and other lawn services
Illinois lawmaker proposes taxing landscaping and other lawn services
SB 9 is part of the package of bills that make up the Senate “grand bargain,” which would have hiked taxes by $7 billion.
Illinois lawmakers head out for 2-week spring break without passing a budget
Illinois lawmakers head out for 2-week spring break without passing a budget
Though Illinois lawmakers leave without addressing the current fiscal impasse, it’s been 16 years since the General Assembly last balanced the budget.
Fake property tax relief: 3 reasons HB 156 fails taxpayers
Fake property tax relief: 3 reasons HB 156 fails taxpayers
Despite being sold as property tax “relief,” new legislation in Springfield would only shift property tax burdens on to certain taxpayers, while complicating an already confusing property tax system.
SB 19: A bill preserving union jobs at all costs
SB 19: A bill preserving union jobs at all costs
A bill sitting on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk is all about preserving union jobs – placing union priorities above the people of Illinois.
Rick Schock
Rick Schock
“I feel like a dog whose owner has died. “I grew up in Bartlett and my neighbor was a millwright. I broke my drive shaft on my first car when I was 17 years old, but he had a little shop and said he could fix it for me. He cut it, welded it, good...
Forgotten Illinois: Newton
Forgotten Illinois: Newton
Illinois General Assembly proposes new internet privacy protections
Illinois General Assembly proposes new internet privacy protections
As the federal government repeals regulations requiring broadband companies to obtain consumers’ consent before using their browsing history and other personal information to create targeted ads, Illinois state politicians are moving to ramp up privacy protections. However, whether these bills would actually further those privacy goals or whether they would merely bolster Illinois’ class-action lawsuit industry while burdening businesses are open questions.
Decatur shrinks as Illinois manufacturing declines
Decatur shrinks as Illinois manufacturing declines
Macon County is one of the 89 counties out of Illinois’ 102 that are losing residents.
The shrinking Metro East
The shrinking Metro East
St. Clair and Madison counties saw combined population losses of more than 1,600 people due to out-migration to other states.
Alcohol bill aimed to help special interests, further status quo
Alcohol bill aimed to help special interests, further status quo
An amendment to Illinois’ longstanding Liquor Control Act creates curious guidelines that seem likely to favor a few specific Chicago businesses, while keeping the status quo intact for the rest.
Illinois workers compensation wound
Illinois workers compensation wound
The latest budget proposal for Illinois: A no-tax-hike plan
The latest budget proposal for Illinois: A no-tax-hike plan
The Taxpayer Bargain finally shifts the budget conversation in favor of taxpayers over politicians, with a plan that balances the state budget without tax hikes.
Illinois workers’ compensation rules cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion a year
Illinois workers’ compensation rules cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion a year
State and local costs for workers’ compensation are out of line with what other states pay.