Had Illinois managed the recession and recovery on par with the rest of the U.S., there would be an additional 300,000 Illinoisans working today, and an additional 220,000 payroll jobs.
In November, 13 of 53 Corruption Watch stories were related to policies and actions of criminal-justice authorities in Illinois.
Action, or lack thereof, on the 2011 income-tax hikes, a minimum-wage increase, SEIU training and more affect Illinoisans in the wake of a lame-duck death.
The Illinois General Assembly just passed a bill that would prevent citizens from recording the police.
With a lame-duck session dead in the water, the 2011 income-tax hikes will sunset on schedule; a minimum-wage debate will wait until Rauner takes office; and taxpayers will not be on the hook for a state-funded health insurance exchange.
Cities across Illinois have been forced to slash services and hike taxes to make room in the budget for pension costs.
The governor-elect has shown wisdom in his first steps to address budget challenges. Illinoisans should hope the trend continues once Rauner takes office.
“It just seemed wrong to me, that you would deny a woman, or a person of color, or someone from downstate, a seat on this governing board, just based on who they happen to be, as opposed to their merit and their talent.”