How do you balance a budget when debts are exploding and your population is fleeing?
How do you balance a budget when debts are exploding and your population is fleeing?
Due to fiscal crises, both state and local governments are asking more and more from the same taxpayers – encouraging many of them to leave instead.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois extends failed corporate tax credit program
Illinois extends failed corporate tax credit program
Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an extension of the EDGE tax credit program, though the program has an unsuccessful record of using taxpayer money.
Illinois lost 5 residents per day to Kentucky in 2015
Illinois lost 5 residents per day to Kentucky in 2015
Expect Kentucky to gain even more Illinoisans in coming years.
By Madelyn Harwood
Illinois loses 16,700 jobs in face of new tax hike proposals
Illinois loses 16,700 jobs in face of new tax hike proposals
New Illinois jobs data reveal a state with thousands of job losses, unemployment rising to 5.7 percent, a collapsing manufacturing sector, and several downstate communities sliding back into recession — all of which make the Illinois Senate’s new tax hike proposal especially harmful.
By Michael Lucci
Nippon Sharyo announces 100 layoffs, despite $10 million in state subsidies and tax credits
Nippon Sharyo announces 100 layoffs, despite $10 million in state subsidies and tax credits
Nippon Sharyo points to prototype difficulties and unspecified business concerns as the main reasons behind the layoffs.
By Brendan Bakala
Here’s why Moody’s is warning of an Illinois death spiral
Here’s why Moody’s is warning of an Illinois death spiral
Illinois’ weak economic growth and population loss may signal the beginning of a financial death spiral.
By Michael Lucci
Chervon North America to move headquarters to Illinois
Chervon North America to move headquarters to Illinois
The company plans on moving its white-collar workforce to Naperville, while keeping its manufacturing plant in Michigan.
By Brendan Bakala
Madigan’s economic agenda is not aggressive and it’s not reform
Madigan’s economic agenda is not aggressive and it’s not reform
The newly re-elected House speaker is pushing a new tax on businesses, an increase to the minimum wage and more spending, while doing nothing to address salient problems such as workers’ compensation and pension debt.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois’ 2015-2016 out-migration problem is much more dire than in other Midwestern states
Illinois’ 2015-2016 out-migration problem is much more dire than in other Midwestern states
Half of Midwest out-migration losses are coming from Illinois, making it the only shrinking state in the region.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois companies announce 464 mass layoffs, mostly in Cook County
Illinois companies announce 464 mass layoffs, mostly in Cook County
Latest WARN report sees almost all mass layoff announcements come from Cook County.
By Brendan Bakala
Kentucky legislature votes to become nation’s 27th Right-to-Work state
Kentucky legislature votes to become nation’s 27th Right-to-Work state
Both chambers of Kentucky’s legislature have passed, and Gov. Matt Bevin has promised to sign, legislation bringing worker freedom to Kentucky – and further weakening Illinois’ regional economic competitiveness.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois politicians should resist the urge to resuscitate failed EDGE tax credit program
Illinois politicians should resist the urge to resuscitate failed EDGE tax credit program
Illinois’ $1.3 billion in EDGE tax credits has brought in only 34,000 jobs since 2001, and has enabled politicians to hand out tax relief to select companies rather than lowering anti-growth taxes for all businesses.
By Hilary Gowins
Caterpillar considers moving 800 production jobs out of Aurora
Caterpillar considers moving 800 production jobs out of Aurora
Peoria-based heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has announced a possible move of up to 800 manufacturing jobs out of Aurora.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois lost 150,000 university students from 2000-2014
Illinois lost 150,000 university students from 2000-2014
Misplaced priorities in education funding have driven students out of the state and skyrocketed tuition costs.
By Madelyn Harwood