Illinois is a high-tax state
Illinois is a high-tax state
Illinois had the fourth-highest combined state and local tax burden as a share of state income in the country.
COGFA report points to manufacturing as cause of Illinois’ high unemployment
COGFA report points to manufacturing as cause of Illinois’ high unemployment
Illinois’ weak manufacturing recovery from the Great Recession has led to the Land of Lincoln’s having the worst unemployment rate among nearby and neighboring Rust Belt states.
Educating workers about their right to opt out of union membership
Educating workers about their right to opt out of union membership
National Employee Freedom Week spotlights the ability of all Illinois workers – including state employees – to opt out of unions, and outlines the reforms needed to ensure true worker freedom.
Garbage Politicians: Ald. Ed Burke
Garbage Politicians: Ald. Ed Burke
Budget estimates fall as Illinois hits slowest economic growth since Great Recession
Budget estimates fall as Illinois hits slowest economic growth since Great Recession
Illinois’ slow economic growth, made worse by out-migration, needs to be addressed in order to tackle the state’s budgetary problems.
Rosemont mayor to receive 53 percent pay hike — to $260,000 a year
Rosemont mayor to receive 53 percent pay hike — to $260,000 a year
Trustees in Rosemont, Ill., voted to hike their mayor’s salary to $260,000 – a 53 percent raise.
Illinois voters support removing licensing restrictions for ex-offenders
Illinois voters support removing licensing restrictions for ex-offenders
A poll of Illinois registered voters finds 76 percent want to remove occupational licensing barriers for ex-offenders.
It’s time to get special interests out of workers’ comp
It’s time to get special interests out of workers’ comp
Illinois physicians in the workers’ compensation system are allowed to sell “repackaged” pills directly to patients at huge markups, averaging between 60 and 300 percent.
Martwick profits from property taxes, complains about lawmaker pay
Martwick profits from property taxes, complains about lawmaker pay
When it comes to touting oneself as a defender of the middle class, actions speak louder than words.
Illinois State Fair: Shearing Exhibition
Illinois State Fair: Shearing Exhibition
Health care costs consume 25 percent of Illinois’ budget
Health care costs consume 25 percent of Illinois’ budget
Spending on Medicaid has increased 141 percent since 2000, compromising other programs that help the needy.
Garbage Politicians: Johnny Rotten
Garbage Politicians: Johnny Rotten
A comprehensive review of the most absurd benefits in the AFSCME collective bargaining agreement
A comprehensive review of the most absurd benefits in the AFSCME collective bargaining agreement
AFSCME does all it can to perpetuate the myth that it is the “little guy” – the victim – in any contract negotiations with the state. The evidence paints a different picture.
Chicago utility-tax hike shows need for taxpayer bill of rights
Chicago utility-tax hike shows need for taxpayer bill of rights
Under a taxpayer bill of rights, Chicago City Council would have to seek voter approval before raising taxes.