3 things you need to know about latest SAFE-T Act changes
3 things you need to know about latest SAFE-T Act changes
Lawmakers are set to consider an amendment to the controversial criminal justice reform law set to take effect on Jan. 1. Here are three things Illinoisans should know about the proposed changes.
By Joe Tabor
Report: 40% of Illinois small businesses behind on November rent
Report: 40% of Illinois small businesses behind on November rent
A new survey found Illinois reported the third-highest increase in small business rent delinquency nationwide during November, with 40% of respondents unable to pay rent on time or in full.
By Patrick Andriesen
Bipartisan plan to pay off $1B deficit spares Illinois businesses from tax hike
Bipartisan plan to pay off $1B deficit spares Illinois businesses from tax hike
More taxes on businesses and reductions in unemployment benefits were looming as a recession approached, but no longer. Lawmakers agreed to replenish Illinois’ unemployment insurance trust fund and avoid those pitfalls.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois labor board says government unions cannot discriminate against nonmembers
Illinois labor board says government unions cannot discriminate against nonmembers
Illinois government unions wrote the law that gives them a monopoly over all government employees in a unionized workplace. And that means they can’t discriminate against workers who choose not to be members.
By Mailee Smith
CTU allies push to end school choice program for low-income Illinois students
CTU allies push to end school choice program for low-income Illinois students
A government union-backed group is pushing parents to ask state lawmakers to kill tax credit scholarships serving the state’s most vulnerable students. Other parents are trying to make the program permanent. Here’s why opponents need to fail.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois unemployment highest in U.S. for 2nd month
Illinois unemployment highest in U.S. for 2nd month
Illinois only added 3,600 jobs in October, a drastic drop in job growth coming amid persistent inflation and rising recession fears. Unemployment led the nation.
By Justin Carlson
State lawmakers debate delaying New Year’s Day gas tax hike
State lawmakers debate delaying New Year’s Day gas tax hike
A bill in Springfield proposes delaying the Jan. 1 state gas tax hike. If it fails, drivers will see two gas tax hikes in 2023, expected to take the tax to over 45 cents a gallon.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois holiday shoppers pay highest sales taxes in Midwest
Illinois holiday shoppers pay highest sales taxes in Midwest
Retailers should expect a record number of holiday shoppers this weekend. Shoppers in Illinois will get hit with some of the nation’s highest sales taxes.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois Thanksgiving travelers pay 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation
Illinois Thanksgiving travelers pay 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation
AAA predicts nearly 55 million people will travel for Thanksgiving this year, only 2% less than Thanksgiving travel in 2019. Illinoisans hitting the road should try to fill up in other states.
By Dylan Sharkey
Amendment 1 could let Illinois police unions undo SAFE-T Act mandates
Amendment 1 could let Illinois police unions undo SAFE-T Act mandates
Illinois’ new union amendment allows government unions to negotiate over virtually anything and override state law through their union contracts. That includes laws aimed at reforming police procedures.
By Mailee Smith
Small businesses led Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs recovery
Small businesses led Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs recovery
Small Business Saturday offers a reason to be extra thankful: businesses with fewer than 20 employees were the only ones to grow payrolls since COVID-19 hit.
By Bryce Hill