Not forgiven, not forgotten: The injustice of Illinois’ scarlet letters
Not forgiven, not forgotten: The injustice of Illinois’ scarlet letters
Chicago ordinance with good intentions makes job-seeking harder for applicants who are young or black
Chicago ordinance with good intentions makes job-seeking harder for applicants who are young or black
The unintended consequences of a Chicago credit-check ordinance have harmed young and black workers, and show why lawmakers should focus on repealing the laws preventing employment for Illinoisans, rather than creating new ones.
Rinse and repeat
Rinse and repeat
Governments in Illinois can take your property without charging you with a crime
Governments in Illinois can take your property without charging you with a crime
A court decision involving the government’s seizure of more than $270,000 from two Chicagoans highlights major problems with civil asset forfeiture.
Reforms that get ex-offenders back to work – and keep them out of jail – could save Illinois millions
Reforms that get ex-offenders back to work – and keep them out of jail – could save Illinois millions
Even a very small reduction in recidivism – just 5 percent – would save Illinois taxpayers nearly $187 million over nine years. But if Illinois’ recidivism rate stays the same, taxpayers will pay approximately $5.7 billion for recidivism costs over the next five years.
Fitch downgrades Chicago, cites Illinois Supreme Court ruling on pension reform
Fitch downgrades Chicago, cites Illinois Supreme Court ruling on pension reform
The city’s rating from Fitch is now just one notch above junk status.
Madigan’s middle class: Pain for the many, perks for the few
Madigan’s middle class: Pain for the many, perks for the few
Middle-class Illinoisans who aren’t employed by the government are suffering, but Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan stands in the way of solutions.
Moody’s: Chicago pension-reform ruling means increased financial pressure, rapidly growing pension debt
Moody’s: Chicago pension-reform ruling means increased financial pressure, rapidly growing pension debt
The Illinois Supreme Court’s overturning of Chicago’s modest pension reform means Chicago faces higher pension contributions, rapidly growing pension debt and an increased risk of total insolvency for its pension funds.
Obey Madigan
Obey Madigan
Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015
Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015
Census data are sounding a warning signal that Chicago and Illinois policy leaders don’t necessarily want to hear.
Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling
Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling
In an effort to shore up pension debt, Chicago officials in 2014 adopted a pension-reform package that included raising the telephone tax. Though the Illinois Supreme Court struck down these changes, the tax hike remains.
Gold-plated pensions
Gold-plated pensions
When second chances come first: An Illinois program breaking the cycle of crime
When second chances come first: An Illinois program breaking the cycle of crime
Chicago pension decision silver linings
Chicago pension decision silver linings
Despite striking down a pension-reform package aimed at reducing Chicago’s pension debt, the Illinois Supreme Court opened the door for future legislative reforms.