Tobacco maker plans to leave Illinois
Tobacco maker plans to leave Illinois
Altria announces plant closures in Illinois and Pennsylvania.
Google Fiber pauses Chicago operations
Google Fiber pauses Chicago operations
Tech giant suspends plans to bring fiber optics to Windy City in favor of a wireless approach.
AFSCME leaders rejected offer of bereavement leave, performance bonuses
AFSCME leaders rejected offer of bereavement leave, performance bonuses
AFSCME and Gov. Bruce Rauner are deadlocked in negotiations for a new contract for Illinois state workers. AFSCME claims to advocate for its members — but union leadership has turned its back on contract provisions that would benefit state employees and their families.
Transportation “lockbox” amendment is a bad idea
Transportation “lockbox” amendment is a bad idea
The Illinois Constitution shouldn't be trivialized by a convoluted mess of budget restrictions.
Chicago politicians angry over losing World Series ticket perk
Chicago politicians angry over losing World Series ticket perk
A new ethics ruling prohibits aldermen from getting World Series tickets at face value — a perk not afforded to most of the public.
Food-stamp enrollment outpaces population growth in Illinois
Food-stamp enrollment outpaces population growth in Illinois
Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has increased more than six times the rate population has grown over the last five years.
Illinois has fastest shrinking labor force of all surrounding states
Illinois has fastest shrinking labor force of all surrounding states
New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show Illinois’ professional and business services sector has fared better than the state’s manufacturing industry, which recorded 800 job losses in September.
Damage from Edgar ramp obscured by dotcom boom
Damage from Edgar ramp obscured by dotcom boom
Former Gov. Jim Edgar’s pension compromise with House Speaker Mike Madigan in the 1990s set the state’s pension funds down an unsustainable road.
Executive order equips Illinoisans to take on red tape
Executive order equips Illinoisans to take on red tape
Gov. Bruce Rauner has ordered executive agencies to review all their regulations for necessity, clarity and statutory authority and to mark for repeal or revision rules that don’t meet those criteria.
Colbert Packaging moves division to Wisconsin from Illinois
Colbert Packaging moves division to Wisconsin from Illinois
Division president cites Wisconsin’s favorable business environment as chief reason for move.
Chicago to propose restrictive licensing for pharmaceutical reps
Chicago to propose restrictive licensing for pharmaceutical reps
A proposal to license pharmaceutical reps amounts to costly fees and red tape that will do little to promote public health and safety.
Illinois: Plenty of pumpkins, not enough people
Illinois: Plenty of pumpkins, not enough people
Illinois ranks as the top pumpkin producer in the country, which isn’t much of a consolation given the state’s poor performance in almost every economic category.
The cost of crossing Madigan
The cost of crossing Madigan
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s election to the speaker position in 16 of the last 17 legislative sessions is a testament to the loyalty he demands from his Democratic colleagues.
How Madigan left the Cubs in the dark
How Madigan left the Cubs in the dark
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s grip on the state’s legislative process once delayed the Cubs’ quest for lights at Wrigley Field – and 30 years later, the Cubs are still feuding with politicians.