Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Bob Anderson

Bob Anderson

“I started my barbershop in 1962. I’ve been cutting some customers’ hair for over 50 years. “When I started there were a lot of German immigrants who were buying small summer homes here. And this is where they retired. Now those same people come into the shop and all they talk about is their property-tax...

Moody’s and S&P downgrade Illinois’ credit rating, the 16th and 17th downgrades since 2009

Moody’s and S&P downgrade Illinois’ credit rating, the 16th and 17th downgrades since 2009

Major ratings agencies have assigned a negative outlook to Illinois. To move forward, the state can’t pass just any budget – especially one that’s $7 billion out-of-whack – to get beyond its crisis. With today’s fiscal stress, a bad budget is worse than no budget. A budget without reforms will only allow Illinois’ debt to continue to spiral, putting investors – and more importantly, Illinois residents – at risk.

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

Illinois employers announce 1,300 layoffs in May

Illinois employers announce 1,300 layoffs in May

The most recent Illinois WARN report shows 1,300 mass layoffs in May, including 513 layoffs in the manufacturing sector, up from 450 large-scale layoffs and six manufacturing layoffs in April.

From budget gridlock to traffic gridlock: Resumption of vehicle-emissions-testing requirements causes traffic jams

From budget gridlock to traffic gridlock: Resumption of vehicle-emissions-testing requirements causes traffic jams

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is again mailing notices of vehicle-emissions-testing requirements to vehicle owners, and effective June 1, the Illinois secretary of state has resumed requiring certain drivers to pass emissions tests prior to renewing their license plates. Drivers scrambling to comply by the secretary of state’s June 1 effective date caused headline-making traffic jams throughout Chicago and its suburbs.

By Amy Korte

Palatine school-district contract a case study in how closed-door, government-union deals hurt taxpayers

Palatine school-district contract a case study in how closed-door, government-union deals hurt taxpayers

Palatine-area Community Consolidated School District 15 posted its 10-year contract with its teachers union more than a month after it had been signed, ensuring that potentially harmful contract provisions can only come to light after it is too late for students, parents and taxpayers to do anything about it.

By Mailee Smith

May Corruption Watch

May Corruption Watch

May’s corruption headlines show the steep cost nontransparent government can have on taxpayers.