Metra CEO gets $28,000 raise after fares go up
Metra CEO gets $28,000 raise after fares go up
Metra CEO Don Orseno is set to receive a pay increase a month after Metra’s fare hike.
Illinois November jobs report: 1,700 jobs gained overall, white-collar jobs up, blue-collar jobs down
Illinois November jobs report: 1,700 jobs gained overall, white-collar jobs up, blue-collar jobs down
The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s newly released jobs report shows Illinois’ 1,700 jobs gained in November were concentrated in white-collar service sectors, and that blue-collar fields, such as manufacturing, lost jobs.
Broken workers’ compensation system costs Illinois taxpayers millions
Broken workers’ compensation system costs Illinois taxpayers millions
Illinois’ uncompetitive workers’ compensation system doesn’t just hurt private sector businesses – it is also costing taxpayers more than $400 million per year.
AFSCME’s egomania is betraying its members
AFSCME’s egomania is betraying its members
AFSCME's demands would cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $3 billion over the course of the contract.
Caterpillar announces more layoffs
Caterpillar announces more layoffs
CAT announces more layoffs due to anticipated losses in 2017.
AFSCME turns on the Illinois Labor Relations Board
AFSCME turns on the Illinois Labor Relations Board
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, desperate to avoid the implementation of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s contract offer, filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Labor Relations Board, claiming the board violated the Open Meetings Act in reaching its decision that AFSCME and the state are at impasse in contract negotiations. The labor board met Dec. 13 and reissued the decision it announced at its meeting Nov. 15 and in writing Dec. 5 – that the state and AFSCME are at impasse.
A crony Christmas carol
A crony Christmas carol
Illinois has highest black unemployment rate in the country
Illinois has highest black unemployment rate in the country
Illinois has had the nation’s highest black unemployment rate for 15 months in a row.
Chicago area sees slow jobs growth, downstate suffers continued job losses
Chicago area sees slow jobs growth, downstate suffers continued job losses
Metropolitan jobs data shows that from October 2015 – October 2016 the greater Chicago area is up +33,500 jobs while the rest of the state is down -2,700 jobs. Measured since before the Great Recession, from October 2007 – October 2016, the greater Chicago area is up 110,100 jobs while the rest of the state is down -42,700 jobs.
AFSCME turns to courts to delay Rauner contract, costing taxpayers millions
AFSCME turns to courts to delay Rauner contract, costing taxpayers millions
A judge in Cook County has issued a temporary restraining order halting a labor board decision that would allow the state to implement its contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The delay costs Illinois taxpayers over $1 million more each day in state-worker health coverage costs.
LA Tan settles case under Illinois privacy law for $1.5M
LA Tan settles case under Illinois privacy law for $1.5M
L.A. Tan has settled a class action lawsuit in which plaintiffs alleged the company stored customers’ fingerprint data in violation of Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, or BIPA. Whether this settlement opens the gates to a flood of BIPA litigation remains to be seen.
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.