Illinois unemployment claims jump by 64K as COVID-19 closes businesses
Illinois unemployment claims jump by 64K as COVID-19 closes businesses
Unemployment claims spiked this week as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered bars and restaurants to halt dine-in service, the service industry took major hits and large gatherings were banned to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Brad Weisenstein
Bill would lift ban on out-of-state wine delivery
Bill would lift ban on out-of-state wine delivery
Illinois’ strict regulations on wine shipments deprive residents of choice and the state of critical tax revenue. The anti-competitive law may be unconstitutional.
Kristan Vaughan: Vaughan Hospitality Group
Kristan Vaughan: Vaughan Hospitality Group
“So much of our lives, so many activities center around our businesses. My son took his first steps in the restaurant. We’re here all the time. It would just be heartbreaking to lose them."
Pritzker orders closure of all Illinois bars and restaurants amid coronavirus spread
Pritzker orders closure of all Illinois bars and restaurants amid coronavirus spread
The order comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Illinois continues to rise.
By Austin Berg
Illinois house value growth nation’s 2nd worst in 2019
Illinois house value growth nation’s 2nd worst in 2019
States with the slowest housing appreciation tend to have worse labor markets, higher taxes and more pension debt.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Senate committee passes Hayli’s Law so regulators don’t sour young entrepreneurs
Senate committee passes Hayli’s Law so regulators don’t sour young entrepreneurs
The proposal is named after Hayli Martenez, a Kankakee girl who was forced to shutter her lemonade stand last summer by county health officials.
‘Fair tax’ would cost Illinois 56K jobs
‘Fair tax’ would cost Illinois 56K jobs
Progressive income tax would essentially wipe out all 2019 employment gains in Illinois, and then some.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Illinois Senate bill would ban gas-powered leaf blowers
Illinois Senate bill would ban gas-powered leaf blowers
A recent proposal to ban Illinois retailers from selling gas-powered leaf blowers and penalize Illinoisans for using them would hurt small businesses.
By Vincent Caruso, Austin Berg
Suburban mayor opposes adding 1,500 jobs as Illinois struggles with employment
Suburban mayor opposes adding 1,500 jobs as Illinois struggles with employment
Amazon bought the old commercial property, but Bolingbrook’s mayor opposes putting 1,500 jobs on it. Illinois’ job growth was below the national average in 2019.
Pritzker claims statewide economic growth, but these Illinois metro areas are shedding jobs
Pritzker claims statewide economic growth, but these Illinois metro areas are shedding jobs
Despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker touting growth in “every major region,” Illinois shed jobs in three metropolitan areas and lagged the national average in seven more.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois government spending growth among nation’s highest, personal income growth among lowest
Illinois government spending growth among nation’s highest, personal income growth among lowest
Robust growth in government spending has failed to yield similar results for Illinoisans’ incomes
By Bryce Hill
Illinois home price growth slowest in nation last year
Illinois home price growth slowest in nation last year
Home price appreciation in Illinois was the slowest in the U.S. between the third quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2019, federal data showed.
By Bryce Hill
State of the state: Pritzker saw worst first-year jobs numbers since Blagojevich
State of the state: Pritzker saw worst first-year jobs numbers since Blagojevich
Illinois job creation lagged the national median in nearly every sector.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Food truck, mobile boutique regulations loosened by Chicago City Council
Food truck, mobile boutique regulations loosened by Chicago City Council
The new ordinance backed by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot allows food trucks and other mobile entrepreneurs to operate with more freedom on city streets.