Illinois senators want new tax on services, higher sales tax on food, medicine
Illinois senators want new tax on services, higher sales tax on food, medicine
The proposal would be part of the Senate’s “grand bargain,” which also includes a multibillion-dollar income tax hike.
By Austin Berg
Illinois politicians’ remedy for state flirting with recession? Multibillion-dollar tax hikes
Illinois politicians’ remedy for state flirting with recession? Multibillion-dollar tax hikes
A new report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shows Illinois has experienced falling tax collections, which may indicate trouble in the state economy; spending reforms – not tax hikes – are what Illinois needs to right its fiscal ship and boost economic growth.
By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner
Illinois last in jobs growth, first in manufacturing losses in 2016
Illinois last in jobs growth, first in manufacturing losses in 2016
Illinois continues to have the worst jobs growth in the region, and tax hikes will only make matters worse.
By Michael Lucci
Chicago made their business illegal, now Vugo is fighting back
Chicago made their business illegal, now Vugo is fighting back
Vugo is the type of technology startup political leaders often herald as the future of Chicago. But taxi protectionism has forced it to leave town.
By Austin Berg
Illinois has largest loss of union membership in region, Indiana and Missouri have largest gains
Illinois has largest loss of union membership in region, Indiana and Missouri have largest gains
Illinois’ declining union membership is but one more reminder that the state’s anti-jobs business environment hurts the broad population of job-seekers, whether they are union or non-union.
By Michael Lucci
As enrollment drops 50%, Chicago State University continues work on new $60M campus
As enrollment drops 50%, Chicago State University continues work on new $60M campus
Lawmakers should address wasteful spending in higher education, which is hurting students, their families, instructors and taxpayers.
By Hilary Gowins
Nearly 240 Cook County correctional officers call in sick for Super Bowl
Nearly 240 Cook County correctional officers call in sick for Super Bowl
Super Sunday sees 239 corrections officers – or 19 percent of the staff assigned to work that day – call in sick despite pleas to officers ahead of time from the Cook County Sheriff’s office.
By Brendan Bakala
Federal district court dismisses Illinois gamers’ biometric information privacy case against video game maker
Federal district court dismisses Illinois gamers’ biometric information privacy case against video game maker
A federal district court in New York has determined the mere violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act does not amount to an injury sufficient to allow video game players to sue in federal court.
By Amy Korte
Illinois now surrounded by Right-to-Work states
Illinois now surrounded by Right-to-Work states
Missouri has become the 28th state to enact Right to Work, causing Illinois’ regional competitiveness to decline further.
By Michael Lucci
A solution to the property tax problem
A solution to the property tax problem
Illinois has by far the most units of government in the nation, at nearly 7,000.
By Austin Berg
Illinois lost 86,000 people on net to Wisconsin over the past decade
Illinois lost 86,000 people on net to Wisconsin over the past decade
Illinois lost almost 24 residents per day to Wisconsin from 2006 through 2015.
By Madelyn Harwood
Illinois lawmakers can avoid a government shutdown and a bad budget deal by passing an appropriations measure
Illinois lawmakers can avoid a government shutdown and a bad budget deal by passing an appropriations measure
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is seeking a court order to stop paychecks to state employees. Many speculate she is trying to force the General Assembly into a budget deal – one that would be bad for Illinoisans. But the General Assembly doesn’t have to be bullied into a bad budget deal. It can pass an appropriations measure to fund state worker payrolls and keep government from shutting down.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.
Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.
Illinois politicians burden the state’s residents with the highest combined state and average local sales tax rate in the Midwest, along with numerous other taxes and fees.
By Brendan Bakala