Local worker freedom law upheld in Kentucky, making worker freedom more likely for Illinois
Local worker freedom law upheld in Kentucky, making worker freedom more likely for Illinois
Illinois may soon be surrounded by Right-to-Work states.
Madigan loses his supermajority
Madigan loses his supermajority
New overtime rules in AFSCME contract could save $111 million if implemented
New overtime rules in AFSCME contract could save $111 million if implemented
With AFSCME and the state at impasse for a new contract, the governor can implement his last offer to the union. That offer includes overtime pay after employees work the market norm of 40 hours in a week – as opposed to the 37.5 hour workweeks AFSCME demanded. Adjustments to overtime pay will save the state $111 million over the term of the contract.
October jobs report: +2,200 jobs, but workforce dropout and unemployment rise
October jobs report: +2,200 jobs, but workforce dropout and unemployment rise
New IDES data show that Illinois’ overall jobs growth was weak for October. While the greater Chicago area had tepid jobs growth over the year, the rest of the state lost jobs.
Illinois metro jobs data tell a tale of two states
Illinois metro jobs data tell a tale of two states
Metropolitan jobs data show that from September 2015 – September 2016 the greater Chicago area is up approximately 49,000 jobs, while the rest of the state is down 6,000 jobs.
A sorry state: Illinois’ economy in 2017
A sorry state: Illinois’ economy in 2017
Since the end of the recession, only 5 out of Illinois’ 13 metro areas – Carbondale-Marion, Chicago, Kankakee, Lake County-Kenosha County and Springfield – have recovered all the private-sector jobs lost from the Great Recession.
National election results give Rauner opportunity for Medicaid overhaul
National election results give Rauner opportunity for Medicaid overhaul
The time is ripe to offer private insurance options to needy Illinoisans through premium-assistance programs and Medicaid savings accounts.
Aldermen rubber stamp Rahm’s 2017 budget
Aldermen rubber stamp Rahm’s 2017 budget
Despite the heavy burden Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s 2017 budget imposes on Chicago taxpayers, not a single alderman voted against it.
Madigan’s millions: Why the speaker should release his tax returns
Madigan’s millions: Why the speaker should release his tax returns
Every dollar Madigan earns back for his corporate clients makes someone else’s property-tax bill go up.
Lawsuit challenges Chicago’s unconstitutional Airbnb ordinance
Lawsuit challenges Chicago’s unconstitutional Airbnb ordinance
Airbnb has reported that about 4,800 Chicagoans are Airbnb hosts, and they earn an average of $5,300 per year renting out their homes through the service.
Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs
Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs
Most people expect Illinois law enforcement to defend the private property of Illinois residents. As long as you obey the law, your life, liberty and property should be secure from the law – or so common sense would suggest. Yet, every year, Illinois law enforcement agencies take tens of millions of dollars in cash, vehicles,...
State of Illinois’ pension debt jumps to $130 billion
State of Illinois’ pension debt jumps to $130 billion
Illinois households are now on the hook for $27,000, up 17 percent from 2015.
Time to take action on Illinois’ manufacturing meltdown
Time to take action on Illinois’ manufacturing meltdown
More than 6,000 Illinois manufacturing jobs disappeared in 2015.
Labor board declares impasse in contract negotiations between AFSCME and the state
Labor board declares impasse in contract negotiations between AFSCME and the state
Negotiations between Illinois and AFSCME – the state’s largest government-worker union – languished for months. While AFSCME demanded contract benefits that would cost the state $3 billion in additional salary and benefit increases, Gov. Bruce Rauner offered a contract that treats state workers fairly and avoids further burdening taxpayers. On Nov. 15, the Illinois Labor Relations Board issued a decision that prevents AFSCME from obstructing progress on an agreement.