Best new laws of 2015
Best new laws of 2015
From a ban on creating new units of local government to the end of Chicago’s happy-hour prohibition, here are five laws passed in 2015 worth celebrating.
Re-entry reform must be a policy priority in 2016
Re-entry reform must be a policy priority in 2016
Criminal-justice reform can only be successful if policymakers work to remove barriers to employment and work.
Top 5 corruption stories of 2015
Top 5 corruption stories of 2015
From taxpayer- and donor-funded spending sprees by the president of an Illinois public college, to Chicago’s red-light-camera ticketing and kick-back schemes, 2015 has been rife with instances of public corruption and lack of government transparency.
Lincolnshire voters overwhelmingly support Right to Work
Lincolnshire voters overwhelmingly support Right to Work
In the face of strident union opposition, Lincolnshire’s Village Board voted 5-1 to pass a worker-freedom ordinance.
Workers’ compensation in Illinois: Identifying the pain points
Workers’ compensation in Illinois: Identifying the pain points
Breaking down the overall high cost and regulatory burden borne by businesses.
Lisa Madigan outlaws fantasy sports for Illinois
Lisa Madigan outlaws fantasy sports for Illinois
Shortly before bowl season kicks off for college football and just over two weeks before the NFL playoffs begin, Illinois’ Attorney General has ruled that fantasy sports are illegal. A bill to regulate the industry was introduced in October.
City of Chicago to Netflix subscribers: Bah, humbug!
City of Chicago to Netflix subscribers: Bah, humbug!
The Liberty Justice Center sued the city of Chicago in September to compel the city to stop collecting a 9 percent amusement tax on Internet-based streaming video, audio and gaming services.
“Home Alone”: How one extreme Illinois case led to overbroad laws about child supervision
“Home Alone”: How one extreme Illinois case led to overbroad laws about child supervision
Illinois’ real-life “Home Alone” story inspired legislation that gives the state too much power to intrude into parents’ reasonable decisions about their children.
Illinois losing 1 resident every 5 minutes to out-migration
Illinois losing 1 resident every 5 minutes to out-migration
Illinois has a stunning loss of 105,000 people to other states, causing population to shrink by 22,000.
Hear them ring: Illinois wireless taxes jack up the price of Christmas gifts
Hear them ring: Illinois wireless taxes jack up the price of Christmas gifts
Illinoisans pay more in wireless taxes than residents of any neighboring state.
Illinois lost more population than any other state last year
Illinois lost more population than any other state last year
Of the 50 states, Illinois was the top population loser.
This Christmas, property taxes are robbing the McCallisters
This Christmas, property taxes are robbing the McCallisters
The fictional family from “Home Alone” has paid nearly $750,000 in property taxes since the film’s release, and real Illinois families are struggling under a massive local tax burden.
State drops child-neglect citation for mother who let her kids play outside
State drops child-neglect citation for mother who let her kids play outside
An inadequate-supervision case recently dropped by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services reveals why the department must reform its policies regarding what constitutes child neglect.
Illinois manufacturing continues to lag
Illinois manufacturing continues to lag
Noting some hard numbers from November, Illinois manufacturers say they’re watching Springfield for decisions on taxes and spending as they keep battling in a worldwide marketplace. While Illinois gained a few jobs in November, they weren’t in manufacturing. Although the state added about 400 jobs in November, the unemployment rate rose 0.3 percentage points to...