This Thanksgiving, food stamps will buy nearly 14 percent of Illinoisans’ meals
This Thanksgiving, food stamps will buy nearly 14 percent of Illinoisans’ meals
Food stamp participation has seen an encouraging decrease, but lagging economic growth leaves Illinois ranked highest among neighboring states in SNAP enrollment.
Village moves to seize popular Chinese restaurant for nonexistent developers
Village moves to seize popular Chinese restaurant for nonexistent developers
Chicago suburb failed once, but is trying again to redevelop its downtown and displace a business popular for more than 40 years. Without a developer, they only can hope that if they rebuild it, someone will come.
By Janelle Cammenga
As nation celebrates small businesses, Illinois politicians take them for granted
As nation celebrates small businesses, Illinois politicians take them for granted
A history of tax hikes to prop up unsustainable spending makes Illinois a frosty climate for small businesses.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Illinois strikes out on Amazon HQ2
Illinois strikes out on Amazon HQ2
Amazon picked two of the 20 remaining cities to split its $5 billion, 50,000-job HQ2, with a third city receiving 5,000 jobs. Illinois struck out on all three.
By Brad Weisenstein
Senate bill would strike car-sharing startups with new taxes, regulations
Senate bill would strike car-sharing startups with new taxes, regulations
With lobbyist backing, lawmakers passed a bill in May aimed at driving out competitors for rental car companies. Gov. Bruce Rauner rejected the bill, but lawmakers could revive it during veto session.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois’ private sector jobs growth among worst in the nation since 2017 tax hike
Illinois’ private sector jobs growth among worst in the nation since 2017 tax hike
Jobs growth in Illinois has gone from middle of the pack to back of the line.
By Bryce Hill, Chena Underhill
Illinois metro areas gain 800 jobs in September
Illinois metro areas gain 800 jobs in September
While a majority of Illinois’ metro areas experienced expanding payrolls in September, metro areas only gained 800 jobs on net.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Illinois added 2,800 jobs in September, still lags nation
Illinois added 2,800 jobs in September, still lags nation
Since December 2017, the rest of the U.S. has expanded payrolls 80 percent faster than Illinois.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Sears files for bankruptcy despite decades of Illinois tax breaks
Sears files for bankruptcy despite decades of Illinois tax breaks
Sears, a long-time beneficiary of Illinois tax credit programs, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
By Janelle Cammenga
Illinois’ economy shed 5,200 jobs in August, the first drop in 2018
Illinois’ economy shed 5,200 jobs in August, the first drop in 2018
Illinois experienced net job losses in August, while the rest of the nation saw continued growth on average.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Suman Chattopadhyay
Manufacturer to shutter 2 Illinois plants, open $26M Indiana facility
Manufacturer to shutter 2 Illinois plants, open $26M Indiana facility
Accepting a deal that includes $6 million in subsidies, Wynright Corporation will expand its operations in Indiana and close plants in suburban Elk Grove and Oak Lawn.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois’ income growth second-worst in the nation
Illinois’ income growth second-worst in the nation
Amid two record-breaking income tax hikes, growing property tax bills and population decline, the Land of Lincoln’s income growth is trailing the rest of the nation.
By Vincent Caruso
One of Illinois’ top tax credit recipients to shutter 1,000-employee HQ
One of Illinois’ top tax credit recipients to shutter 1,000-employee HQ
Illinois issued more than $60 million in EDGE tax credits to Takeda Pharmaceuticals from 2003 to 2013, more than any other company received over that time.
By Austin Berg