Rauner vetoes state bailout of CPS pensions
Rauner vetoes state bailout of CPS pensions
Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the $215 million bailout of Chicago Public Schools’ ailing teachers’ pension fund.
Lame Duck
Lame Duck
Illinois legislators pitch proposals to stop lame-duck tax hikes
Illinois legislators pitch proposals to stop lame-duck tax hikes
Illinois needs structural reforms to fix its fiscal problems, not a tax hike by lawmakers on their way out the door.
Madigan spokesman, trial bar peddle myths about workers’ compensation
Madigan spokesman, trial bar peddle myths about workers’ compensation
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s spokesman, Steve Brown, has repeatedly implied that Illinois insurance companies are hoarding cost savings. However, this couldn't be happening unless insurance companies were colluding in violation of the principle of antitrust laws, and there's no evidence they are. Illinois trial lawyers have echoed Brown's sentiments, but they don't seem to see evidence of antitrust violations either given that they haven't brought lawsuits against insurance companies for violating federal antitrust law.
AFSCME skirts legal requirements to file lawsuit against Illinois in union-friendly court
AFSCME skirts legal requirements to file lawsuit against Illinois in union-friendly court
AFSCME’s most recent ploy is a clear demonstration of its discard for the labor process. The union isn’t interested in fair negotiations and outcomes – it is only interested in skewing the process to serve its own goals.
Cards Against Humanity’s ‘Holiday Hole’ is the perfect metaphor for Illinois
Cards Against Humanity’s ‘Holiday Hole’ is the perfect metaphor for Illinois
Unlike the people who voluntarily have given tens of thousands of dollars toward Cards Against Humanity's Black Friday hole-digging gag, Illinois taxpayers are forced to pour money into the state's ever-growing budget and pension gaps.
McDonald’s counters Fight for $15 with automation nationwide
McDonald’s counters Fight for $15 with automation nationwide
Calls for a minimum-wage hike nationwide and in Illinois are increasingly met with businesses’ use of technology to cut costs.
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.
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.
Definition of Insanity: Madigan
Definition of Insanity: Madigan
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.
Madigan’s compromise
Madigan’s compromise
Workers’ compensation for state, county and municipal workers costs Illinois taxpayers $400 million per year
Workers’ compensation for state, county and municipal workers costs Illinois taxpayers $400 million per year
Workers’ compensation is a significant cost to Illinois taxpayers and drains scarce tax dollars from government coffers. Political and business leaders often view workers’ compensation as a costly regulation that affects private-sector investment and employment in Illinois.[1] This description is accurate yet incomplete. The same heavy costs imposed on private-sector employers[2] are also imposed on...