Illinois has highest black unemployment rate in U.S.
Illinois has highest black unemployment rate in U.S.
The Land of Lincoln’s job-killing policies are hurting minority communities increasingly hard, while black unemployment in pro-growth states remains significantly lower.
By Michael Lucci
Rauner signs occupational licensing reform into law
Rauner signs occupational licensing reform into law
On Aug. 22, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law a bill that prevents the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation from using irrelevant criminal convictions as a basis for denying licenses to applicants seeking to work as barbers, cosmetologists, hair braiders, estheticians, nail technicians, roofing business owners or funeral directors.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
John Deere announces layoffs in Waterloo
John Deere announces layoffs in Waterloo
Deere & Co. plans to lay off 115 manufacturing workers by late September.
By Brendan Bakala
Michigan surpasses 600,000 manufacturing jobs as Illinois manufacturing continues to decline
Michigan surpasses 600,000 manufacturing jobs as Illinois manufacturing continues to decline
Manufacturers are struggling with unfavorable global conditions, and Illinois’ anti-growth policies are only hurting the state’s industrial sector more.
By Michael Lucci
Fulton mayor arrested for theft of city funds
Fulton mayor arrested for theft of city funds
Mayor Larry Russell was charged in Whiteside County on one count of stealing $764 from a city bank account.
By Illinois News Network
Illinois voters from all political parties favor reducing state prison population
Illinois voters from all political parties favor reducing state prison population
A recent Illinois Policy Institute-commissioned poll finds 4 in 5 registered Illinois voters – including overwhelming majorities of Republicans, Independents and Democrats – support reforms to reduce the number of nonviolent offenders in prison.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Illinois state workers have options if they wish to opt out of a union
Illinois state workers have options if they wish to opt out of a union
Illinois state workers can opt out of union membership to become fair share payers, but reforms such as Right to Work and Worker’s Choice would promote greater worker freedom and benefit the state.
By Mailee Smith
Meet the mayor of the town that outsourced everything
Meet the mayor of the town that outsourced everything
An Atlanta, Ga., suburb might be a model for saving taxpayers costs while providing high-quality services.
Federal district court in Illinois dismisses biometric information privacy case against Smarte Carte
Federal district court in Illinois dismisses biometric information privacy case against Smarte Carte
A federal district court in Illinois has determined the mere violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act does not amount to an injury sufficient to allow a plaintiff to sue in federal court.
By Amy Korte
Unemployment rate drops as Illinois workforce shrinks by 33,600 during summer moving season
Unemployment rate drops as Illinois workforce shrinks by 33,600 during summer moving season
Manufacturing weakness driving Illinois unemployment up; dropout and out-migration driving unemployment down.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois workforce shrinks by 33,600 in July
Illinois workforce shrinks by 33,600 in July
Illinois’ preliminary jobs report shows the unemployment rate dropped to 5.8 percent in July due to large numbers of residents dropping out of the labor force for the third consecutive month.
By Brendan Bakala
Why Madigan wants the map
Why Madigan wants the map
Illinois politicians love to be involved in choosing their voters, especially Madigan.
By Austin Berg
Comptroller proposes ‘No Budget, No Pay’ bill for Illinois lawmakers
Comptroller proposes ‘No Budget, No Pay’ bill for Illinois lawmakers
Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger wants to tie politicians’ pay to a balanced budget.
By Austin Berg