Cooling down an overheated US economy doesn’t have to be painful
Cooling down an overheated US economy doesn’t have to be painful
As jobs growth and wage growth show signs of slowing, tax and regulatory changes could help prevent economic pain.
Cook County board gives itself 10% raise, automatic future pay increases
Cook County board gives itself 10% raise, automatic future pay increases
The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted May 24 to increase its members’ salaries 10% in December, followed by automatic annual pay increases each year up to 3%. Civic groups say the perpetual pay hikes pose future concern.
Pritzker lifeguard
Pritzker lifeguard
DAILY LINKS / 3.11.2024
The Center Square: Illinois' 'equitable' funding report seeks $1.4 billion more for higher education The Chicago Tribune: Johnson to choose from 15 candidates for civilian police oversight board Chicago Sun-Times: With shelter evictions looming, migrants worry about access to housing, work permits WTTW: 2nd Case of Measles Confirmed in Pilsen Shelter, Chicago Health Officials Announce The Daily Herald: How much of state’s capital improvement dollars are targeted for suburbs? Chicago Sun-Times: Biden uses feisty State of the Union to contrast with Trump, sell voters on a second term WCIA: Proposal to end required religious and political workplace meetings in IL passes committeeDisgraced Illinois lawmaker collected $130K pension while awaiting prison sentence
Disgraced Illinois lawmaker collected $130K pension while awaiting prison sentence
The former Illinois House assistant majority leader received a taxpayer-funded pension worth $129,000 between his retirement in 2019 after being arrested for bribery by federal authorities and his conviction in 2022.
Unions backed doubling gas tax, now push disguised tax hike amendment
Unions backed doubling gas tax, now push disguised tax hike amendment
The same unions that supported doubling the gas tax in 2019 donated $15 million to politicians who voted for Amendment 1, a proposed tax hike sold as a “workers’ rights” amendment.
Joe Ocol
Joe Ocol
“The Chicago’s Teachers Union has become too powerful and it is becoming even more powerful. I fear that if Amendment 1 passes, the union will have limitless power."
Illinois gas prices surpass $5 a gallon
Illinois gas prices surpass $5 a gallon
Rising gas prices show no sign of stopping. Average gas prices in Illinois are more than $5 a gallon, thanks in part to the nation’s second-highest motor fuel tax.
Ep. 39: The truth about Illinois’ population
Ep. 39: The truth about Illinois’ population
What’s the deal with Illinois’ population? Are we gaining residents like Gov. Pritzker has recently said or are we losing residents, as has been reported for seven straight years? Bryce Hill joins the Policy Shop to break down the Census Bureau releases and share the truth about Illinois’ population story. Learn more by subscribing to...
Illinoisans see $2,200 pay cut thanks to inflation
Illinoisans see $2,200 pay cut thanks to inflation
Wages rose in Illinois, but inflation rose even more. That left the average worker almost $2,200 worse off.
Cook County seeks to implement permanent guaranteed income
Cook County seeks to implement permanent guaranteed income
Cook County officials promised to make the nation’s now-largest publicly-funded guaranteed income experiment permanent May 18 shortly after introducing the initiative. The trial will start accepting applicants in the fall.
Chicago casino revenue doesn’t address 91% of city pension debt
Chicago casino revenue doesn’t address 91% of city pension debt
The Chicago City Council approved a casino development in the River West neighborhood. The generated revenue will exclusively pay for pension debt, but only an estimated 9% of what the city needs.
Illinois’ state policy choices boost threat from potential U.S. recession
Illinois’ state policy choices boost threat from potential U.S. recession
Illinois is already behind the national pandemic recovery. As the risk of recession increases, Illinoisans could fall farther behind.
High Illinois gas taxes drive residents across state line
High Illinois gas taxes drive residents across state line
For Illinois border resident Brett Retherford and his neighbors, high Illinois fuel taxes drive them to buy their gasoline in Iowa. Illinois politicians’ heavy demands lose them hoped-for taxes when drivers have a choice.