Budget estimates fall as Illinois hits slowest economic growth since Great Recession
Budget estimates fall as Illinois hits slowest economic growth since Great Recession
Illinois’ slow economic growth, made worse by out-migration, needs to be addressed in order to tackle the state’s budgetary problems.
By Michael Lucci
Rosemont mayor to receive 53 percent pay hike — to $260,000 a year
Rosemont mayor to receive 53 percent pay hike — to $260,000 a year
Trustees in Rosemont, Ill., voted to hike their mayor’s salary to $260,000 – a 53 percent raise.
Illinois voters support removing licensing restrictions for ex-offenders
Illinois voters support removing licensing restrictions for ex-offenders
A poll of Illinois registered voters finds 76 percent want to remove occupational licensing barriers for ex-offenders.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
It’s time to get special interests out of workers’ comp
It’s time to get special interests out of workers’ comp
Illinois physicians in the workers’ compensation system are allowed to sell “repackaged” pills directly to patients at huge markups, averaging between 60 and 300 percent.
By Austin Berg
Martwick profits from property taxes, complains about lawmaker pay
Martwick profits from property taxes, complains about lawmaker pay
When it comes to touting oneself as a defender of the middle class, actions speak louder than words.
By Austin Berg
Health care costs consume 25 percent of Illinois’ budget
Health care costs consume 25 percent of Illinois’ budget
Spending on Medicaid has increased 141 percent since 2000, compromising other programs that help the needy.
By Craig Lesner
Chicago utility-tax hike shows need for taxpayer bill of rights
Chicago utility-tax hike shows need for taxpayer bill of rights
Under a taxpayer bill of rights, Chicago City Council would have to seek voter approval before raising taxes.
Chicagoans on the hook for $34B in debt from city’s 4 pension funds
Chicagoans on the hook for $34B in debt from city’s 4 pension funds
Chicago’s pension funds’ debt grew by two-thirds to $34 billion in 2015. That’s $33,000 of pension debt per Chicago household.
By John Klingner
Illinois state rep calls delayed lawmaker pay ‘extortion and corruption’
Illinois state rep calls delayed lawmaker pay ‘extortion and corruption’
State Rep. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago, criticized payment delays for Illinois politicians, despite the fact that his compensation cost taxpayers nearly $100,000 in 2015.
By Austin Berg
Illinois employers announce 956 layoffs in July
Illinois employers announce 956 layoffs in July
Illinois’ July WARN report marks a 59% increase in layoffs from June’s numbers, as well as an uptick in manufacturing job losses.
By Brendan Bakala