Madigan nears title of longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history
Madigan nears title of longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan told reporters he has “overwhelming support” to be re-elected to his longtime post come January. Another two-year term would bring his total tenure as speaker of the House to 34 years.
By Austin Berg
Chicago to tax businesses who use satellite TV
Chicago to tax businesses who use satellite TV
Chicago City Council expanded its 9 percent amusement tax to include businesses subscribing to satellite television – another way to nickel and dime the most taxed residents in the state.
Village of Barrington to resist Cook County minimum wage hike
Village of Barrington to resist Cook County minimum wage hike
The northwest suburb of Barrington passed an ordinance to allow local businesses to forgo Cook County’s minimum wage hike, which has the potential to be devastating for jobs in the county.
Hundreds on Medicaid waiting list in Illinois die while waiting for care
Hundreds on Medicaid waiting list in Illinois die while waiting for care
Illinois has a Medicaid crisis. With an Obamacare Medicaid expansion program that continues to spiral out of control, newly obtained data confirm fears that the expansion program would prioritize able-bodied adults over the state’s truly vulnerable residents.
Chicago making moves to implement ‘super TIFs’
Chicago making moves to implement ‘super TIFs’
Chicago would create new transit-based super TIFs before the close of the year in order to secure federal funding, while adding more opportunities for city-run slush funds to hoard tax dollars.
By Chris Lentino
3 reasons AFSCME has so much power over Illinois taxpayers
3 reasons AFSCME has so much power over Illinois taxpayers
Over the years, AFSCME – the state’s largest government-worker union – has amassed incredible benefits for state workers through contract negotiations with the state. When AFSCME comes to the bargaining table, it isn’t AFSCME versus the governor – it’s AFSCME versus the state taxpayer. And AFSCME holds extraordinarily more power in the process than the state taxpayers footing the bill.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois lost 80,000 millennials between 2011-2015
Illinois lost 80,000 millennials between 2011-2015
Millennial out-migration from the Land of Lincoln is worse than all its neighboring states.
By Madelyn Harwood
October BLS jobs report: Illinois has region’s heaviest manufacturing job losses in 2015 and 2016
October BLS jobs report: Illinois has region’s heaviest manufacturing job losses in 2015 and 2016
Since the beginning of 2015, Illinois has lost 14,100 manufacturing jobs.
By Michael Lucci
Home-sharing brings out the best in us
Home-sharing brings out the best in us
New Airbnb regulations pose a serious problem for Chicagoans.
By Austin Berg
Illinois’ billions: Pension debt and unpaid bills total more than $140B
Illinois’ billions: Pension debt and unpaid bills total more than $140B
Fiscal mismanagement by Illinois politicians has resulted in mounting deficits that are hurting the state’s economy, leading to ever-higher taxes, and driving people and their income out of the state.
By Ted Dabrowski