Moving out: Illinois has country’s worst outbound rate in 2016
Moving out: Illinois has country’s worst outbound rate in 2016
Data from moving companies reflect continued mass exodus from Illinois.
Our regrettable shrinking state
Our regrettable shrinking state
The U.S. Census Bureau released new migration data Dec. 20, and it’s frightening. Illinois has a massive people problem. From July 2015 to July 2016, the state’s population declined by more than 37,000 people. That’s the worst population loss in the nation, and will likely mean the loss of a seat in the U.S. House...
Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016
Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016
It’s no secret Chicago aldermen aren’t friendly to outsider businesses and innovative industries. Here’s a look at some of the most egregious examples from 2016.
Dave Mansfield
Dave Mansfield
“I’m gonna cry, guys. Never thought this day would come. You know, 27 or 28 years I’ve been here and it’s time to move on. My eyes opened up to what was happening. And I realized, do I really want to invest that kind of money in a home in Chicago and the state of...
2 million Illinoisans struggle to put food on their tables
2 million Illinoisans struggle to put food on their tables
Recent data from the Illinois Department of Human Services show nearly 2 million Illinois residents need government assistance to put food on the table this holiday season, as the state continues to hemorrhage manufacturing jobs and other blue-collar opportunities. Each year’s end is a time for reflection.
Marty Bee
Marty Bee
“When my father passed away I was 7 and it was just me and my mom. My mom had a third-grade education. But we never knew we were poor. The family was good, the community was good. If it hadn’t have been for Mr. Lang’s store … I would have never had a Christmas tree....
Amazon adds 1,000 subsidized jobs to Aurora
Amazon adds 1,000 subsidized jobs to Aurora
After receiving incentives and abatements guaranteed by state and local taxpayer dollars, Amazon announces two new facilities in Aurora.
Illinois’ corporate handout program halted temporarily
Illinois’ corporate handout program halted temporarily
The expiration of the state’s EDGE program – which has given large companies more than $1 billion in tax credits the last 15 years – is good news for taxpayers and should encourage lawmakers to pass real reforms.
Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population
Illinois losing 1 resident every 4.6 minutes, could fall behind Pennsylvania in population
Illinois has record loss of 114,000 residents to other states in 2016 as population shrinks by 37,500.
Chicago Airbnb hosts made $73 million in 2016, despite roadblocks by Chicago City Council, hotel lobby
Chicago Airbnb hosts made $73 million in 2016, despite roadblocks by Chicago City Council, hotel lobby
The Chicago market has grown to the third largest in the country, accounting for almost all of the more than $73 million in supplemental income in 2016.
IDOT plans to build a new toll lane on the Eisenhower Expressway
IDOT plans to build a new toll lane on the Eisenhower Expressway
Illinois Tollway fees were pitched to taxpayers as temporary, but have become a permanent cost for drivers.
O’Hare, Midway parking fees to increase in 2017
O’Hare, Midway parking fees to increase in 2017
Though Chicago already has the highest sales tax in the nation as well as massive property taxes, the Chicago City Council passed new hikes on parking fees in Midway and O’Hare airports.
Illinois November jobs report: 1,700 jobs gained overall, white-collar jobs up, blue-collar jobs down
Illinois November jobs report: 1,700 jobs gained overall, white-collar jobs up, blue-collar jobs down
The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s newly released jobs report shows Illinois’ 1,700 jobs gained in November were concentrated in white-collar service sectors, and that blue-collar fields, such as manufacturing, lost jobs.
Broken workers’ compensation system costs Illinois taxpayers millions
Broken workers’ compensation system costs Illinois taxpayers millions
Illinois’ uncompetitive workers’ compensation system doesn’t just hurt private sector businesses – it is also costing taxpayers more than $400 million per year.