Why all Illinoisans need action on workers’ comp
Why all Illinoisans need action on workers’ comp
The cost of workers’ compensation for municipalities, counties and state government in Illinois is more than $400 million per year.
Veto session ends with almost no overrides, but lame duck looms in January
Veto session ends with almost no overrides, but lame duck looms in January
The failure of almost all potential veto overrides in 2016 is a victory for Illinois taxpayers.
Bill to give ex-offenders access to state-issued IDs goes to Rauner’s desk
Bill to give ex-offenders access to state-issued IDs goes to Rauner’s desk
Senate Bill 3368 will ensure former inmates leaving Illinois’ prisons have state-issued identification, which will assist their re-entry into their communities and make it easier for them to apply for jobs or housing.
Addressing criminal justice through Adult Redeploy saved IL $76 million from 2011-2015
Addressing criminal justice through Adult Redeploy saved IL $76 million from 2011-2015
The state initiative has both saved taxpayer money and given offenders the opportunity to break the cycle of incarceration.
AFSCME promises to appeal after Illinois Labor Relations Board formalizes impasse ruling
AFSCME promises to appeal after Illinois Labor Relations Board formalizes impasse ruling
A recent labor board decision means Gov. Bruce Rauner can start implementing his last contract offer to state workers. But the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees continues to obstruct progress toward a contract for state workers, vowing to appeal the labor board’s decision.
7 public officials arrested in Metro East area on corruption charges
7 public officials arrested in Metro East area on corruption charges
Corruption from several public officials in Metro East underscores the need for more government transparency in the area.
Budget sloth
Budget sloth
Illinois companies announce 650 mass layoffs in November
Illinois companies announce 650 mass layoffs in November
Employers in the Land of Lincoln announced 650 mass layoffs in November, according to the November edition of the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, report. This report marks the first time since July 2015 that there wasn’t single mass-layoff announcement in the manufacturing sector. The types of jobs lost were spread across...
After court ruling, Chicago food trucks must fight on against protectionist city rules
After court ruling, Chicago food trucks must fight on against protectionist city rules
In her Dec. 5 ruling, a Cook County Circuit Court judge said Chicago’s oppressive food truck regulations serve legitimate city interests. But evidence shows the only interests the rules protect are those of politically connected restaurant owners and politicians.
Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house
Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house
Real reform to help overtaxed Illinoisans – such as a property-tax cap and aggressive government consolidation – would be the gift that keeps giving the whole year round.
Judge upholds onerous Chicago food truck rules
Judge upholds onerous Chicago food truck rules
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Anna Helen Demacopoulos squelched a ray of hope for Chicago food trucks Dec. 5 as the court upheld two of the city’s most oppressive regulations. In recent weeks, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been coming after these small-business owners. But they’ve faced the city’s wrath for years, even after City Council...
Jason B.
Jason B.
“I was homeless before I got this job. I sat right out here for years with a sign that said ‘Please help.’ Every day, for years, even with eight feet of snow out here. Every day. People look at me a lot different now. They were seeing me sitting on the ground, now they see...
Aaron Moore
Aaron Moore
“This thing started with me, my buddy and a paintbrush. It was all bootstrapped. We ran the businesses out of two garages and a den at our secretary’s house. Now we have anywhere from 20 to 40 guys working for us. I’m really proud of it. It’s what I’ve spent my entire adult life doing....
Trump can help save Chicago manufacturing jobs by taking on sugar tariffs
Trump can help save Chicago manufacturing jobs by taking on sugar tariffs
Chicago and Illinois have plenty of their own problems on the manufacturing front, with issues such as high property taxes and workers’ compensation costs driving production facilities to other states. But U.S. trade policy regarding sugar isn’t helping matters. For each one sugar growing and harvesting job saved through high U.S. sugar tariffs, nearly three confectionery manufacturing jobs are lost, according to the International Trade Administration.