January jobs growth weak, Illinois labor force in 10-year decline
January jobs growth weak, Illinois labor force in 10-year decline
Newly released Illinois jobs report points to anemic jobs growth and a contracting labor force.
Illinois pension debt
Illinois pension debt
Unpaid sick leave will cost taxpayers $3.4 billion over the next three decades
Unpaid sick leave will cost taxpayers $3.4 billion over the next three decades
Top school district superintendents have used the sick-leave perk to boost their pensions by $350,000 or more over the course of their retirements.
AFSCME’s battle with Rauner is far from over
AFSCME’s battle with Rauner is far from over
An Illinois appellate court ruled in favor of AFSCME March 1, but that isn’t the end of the court battle between the state and its largest government-worker union. The court’s order to prevent the governor from implementing his contract offer is temporary, and there is much more to come.
The fair share option for Rockford school workers who don’t want to strike
The fair share option for Rockford school workers who don’t want to strike
Bus drivers, paraprofessionals and food services workers at Rockford Public Schools will go on strike March 15 if a new contract is not reached soon. Employees who want to go to work can be punished by AFSCME Local 692. They can avoid union punishment by becoming fair share payers.
Rip Van Democrats
Rip Van Democrats
Illinois Medicaid expansion costs are already double initial projections
Illinois Medicaid expansion costs are already double initial projections
Between 2014 and 2016, Illinois’ Medicaid expansion cost $4.6 billion more than its supporters had forecasted, crowding out services for Illinois’ most vulnerable residents.
Sugary drink tax would be a bitter pill to swallow
Sugary drink tax would be a bitter pill to swallow
Illinois holds more than $66 million worth of stocks and bonds in PepsiCo, Coca Cola and Dr. Pepper Snapple alone.
Illinois politicians dub March 8 ‘Cubs Day’ despite contentious history
Illinois politicians dub March 8 ‘Cubs Day’ despite contentious history
Springfield lawmakers passed a ceremonial resolution March 8 congratulating the Chicago Cubs on winning the 2016 World Series. But that pat on the back doesn’t make up for the adversarial relationship politicians have held with the Cubs and other professional sports franchises in Chicago.
Rauner: No … Chance …
Rauner: No … Chance …
Rivian Automotive gets $49.5 million in state tax credits for 1,000 jobs over 10 years
Rivian Automotive gets $49.5 million in state tax credits for 1,000 jobs over 10 years
The car manufacturer is promising to bring more than 1,000 jobs to Normal, Ill., after being offered $49.5 million in state tax credits and more in local tax credits and abatements.
Illinois Senate’s spending “cap” doesn’t protect taxpayers, core services
Illinois Senate’s spending “cap” doesn’t protect taxpayers, core services
The Senate’s “grand bargain” contains a one-year spending “cap” that won’t improve fiscal responsibility. A real cap must come with structural spending reforms to return spending to a level that taxpayers can afford.
Federal court in Illinois rules biometric privacy lawsuit against Google can proceed
Federal court in Illinois rules biometric privacy lawsuit against Google can proceed
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has held that face templates created from photographs uploaded to Google Photos are covered under Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act.
Unpaid sick leave spikes Illinois teachers’ pension benefits
Unpaid sick leave spikes Illinois teachers’ pension benefits
While sick leave is necessary for working teachers, letting unpaid sick leave accumulate for the purpose of boosting pensions is an expensive perk that taxpayers cannot afford.