Illinois manufacturing workers earn less money, see less growth than Indiana peers
Illinois manufacturing workers earn less money, see less growth than Indiana peers
Federal data show how Illinois workers suffer under their state’s anti-manufacturing status quo.
By Michael Lucci
CAT layoffs continue as manufacturing work in Peoria area closes in on all-time low
CAT layoffs continue as manufacturing work in Peoria area closes in on all-time low
Caterpillar Inc.’s announcement of 670 layoffs comes amid the loss of a quarter of the manufacturing jobs in Peoria and Tazewell counties since 2008.
By Michael Lucci
New proposal would hold schools accountable for ensuring students can read
New proposal would hold schools accountable for ensuring students can read
Across the state, only 36 percent of third-grade black children read at grade level in 2014, while only 39 percent of Hispanic children met the standards. Yet state education rules force 4th grade children to advance to the next grade – whether they’re reading-ready or not.
By Ted Dabrowski
Low-income entrepreneurs suffer most when government makes it harder to start a business
Low-income entrepreneurs suffer most when government makes it harder to start a business
Chicago’s many bureaucratic barriers to starting a business shield established businesses from competition and keep low-income entrepreneurs from getting ahead.
By Mark Adams
Caterpillar Inc. closing 5 plants, cutting 670 jobs
Caterpillar Inc. closing 5 plants, cutting 670 jobs
The East Peoria, Ill., plant will be the hardest hit, losing 230 jobs for office and production workers. As neighboring states grow factory work, Illinois is approaching an all-time low for manufacturing jobs.
By Austin Berg
Pennsylvania close to passing Illinois as 5th-largest state in U.S. for jobs and population
Pennsylvania close to passing Illinois as 5th-largest state in U.S. for jobs and population
Unlike Illinois, Pennsylvania has actually recovered the number of jobs it lost during the Great Recession, and now has 40,000 more jobs than it had at its pre-recession peak. Illinois, on the other hand, still has 90,000 fewer jobs than it had before the recession, the worst jobs recovery in the U.S.
By Michael Lucci
Report: Dashcam equipment in Chicago police vehicles ‘intentionally’ destroyed
Report: Dashcam equipment in Chicago police vehicles ‘intentionally’ destroyed
80% of Chicago dashcam audio systems are malfunctioning due "to operator error or in some cases intentional destruction."
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Madigan’s budget solution is to make Illinois the most heavily taxed state in the Midwest
Madigan’s budget solution is to make Illinois the most heavily taxed state in the Midwest
Instead of spending reform and policies to promote economic growth, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan proposes the same high-taxing, big-spending plans that got Illinois into its current fiscal mess.
By Michael Lucci
Chicago Public Schools pulls bond sale
Chicago Public Schools pulls bond sale
Chicago Public Schools’ postponement of its $875 million bond sale indicates investors’ concerns over the financial state of the district.
By Ted Dabrowski
Full text: Gov. Rauner’s 2016 State of the State address
Full text: Gov. Rauner’s 2016 State of the State address
Transcript, provided by Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office, of his 2016 State of the State address, as prepared for delivery, to the General Assembly on January 27, 2016.
By illinoispolicy
Déjà vu: Illinois has billions in unpaid bills, Madigan calls for another tax hike
Déjà vu: Illinois has billions in unpaid bills, Madigan calls for another tax hike
Without fundamental reforms, the tax hike state Democrats want to impose will only drive Illinois further into decline.
By Hilary Gowins