Uber, Lyft threaten to leave Chicago
Uber, Lyft threaten to leave Chicago
Chicago City Council is one vote away from enacting punishing rules that could force the popular platforms out of the Windy City.
Amendment to exclude Facebook facial-recognition technology from Illinois’ privacy law put on hold
Amendment to exclude Facebook facial-recognition technology from Illinois’ privacy law put on hold
A proposed amendment to the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act that would exclude facial-recognition technology used by Facebook from the privacy protections of the act has been postponed after privacy advocates and the Illinois attorney general raised concerns.
May jobs report: Illinois loses 2,500 payroll jobs, workforce shrinks by 9,100
May jobs report: Illinois loses 2,500 payroll jobs, workforce shrinks by 9,100
Weak jobs numbers across the Midwest reflect the possibility of an oncoming economic slowdown. In fact, it would not be surprising to face a recession in the upcoming months, given that U.S. jobs growth has been weakening, and it has been seven years since the previous recession ended – a long period of expansion by historical norms.
Illinois lost 2,500 jobs in May, labor force drops for first time in 2016
Illinois lost 2,500 jobs in May, labor force drops for first time in 2016
Confidence in job opportunities declined in May, with a net loss of 9,100 people from the state’s workforce.
Illinois comptroller: The state will stop payments to lottery winners if budget stalemate drags on
Illinois comptroller: The state will stop payments to lottery winners if budget stalemate drags on
If Springfield politicians do not pass a budget by June 30, the state will be forced to stop payments to winning lottery ticket holders, Illinois’ comptroller has warned.
How Madigan became king
How Madigan became king
Madigan is the longest-serving House speaker in Illinois history and one of the longest-serving state House speakers in United States history.
Madigan’s map
Madigan’s map
Governor asks to fast-track AFSCME impasse decision
Governor asks to fast-track AFSCME impasse decision
The governor’s office has asked the Illinois Labor Relations Board to allow the impasse proceedings between the state and AFSCME to go straight to the five-member labor board instead of first waiting for a decision from the administrative law judge.
Speaker Madigan puts politics over people
Speaker Madigan puts politics over people
Madigan’s record $40 billion spending proposal and its $7 billion deficit revealed he was never serious about reaching a budget deal with Rauner. Instead it was nothing more than an attempt to create a deeper fiscal crisis, force additional tax hikes and create a bailout for the city of Chicago. As long as Madigan and other lawmakers keep prioritizing politics over people, Illinois will continue its downward spiral.
Victory: Evanston lifts food-truck ban
Victory: Evanston lifts food-truck ban
Food-truck freedom finally is coming to Evanston.
Illinois’ $2 million Skittles bribe a bad deal for taxpayers
Illinois’ $2 million Skittles bribe a bad deal for taxpayers
News that Wrigley has started producing Skittles in Illinois has many excited – until they learn just how much Illinois gave in tax incentives to lure 75 new jobs.
Property taxes up 13 percent on average Chicago home
Property taxes up 13 percent on average Chicago home
The average single-family home in Chicago will see a $400 increase in property taxes. And property-tax revenues for the city of Chicago will top $1 billion for the first time in city history.
Chicago TIF districts benefit politically connected at taxpayers’ expense
Chicago TIF districts benefit politically connected at taxpayers’ expense
City officials are moving to develop the largest remaining plot of vacant land to ensure huge windfalls for a city-run slush fund.
Illinois Comptroller: Most state payments will stop July 1 without budget
Illinois Comptroller: Most state payments will stop July 1 without budget
Munger said that if raising taxes were the only answer to the budget crisis, lawmakers would have to increase the income tax from its current 3.75 percent to 8 percent.