The Policy Shop

A weekly podcast tackling Illinois' most important issues.

Ep. 28: Illinois’ economy 2 years into COVID-19

March 12 marked two years since Gov. J.B. Pritzker imposed some of the nation’s strictest COVID-19 mandates, creating uneven rules that favored large over small businesses. Many Illinois business owners had to close shop permanently, while others are finding ways to reinvent their business. How is the Illinois jobs recovery now two years into the...

Ep. 27: Failure to launch: Small business job creators struggle to grow in Illinois

Lots of businesses tried to get started during 2021 in Illinois, but the ones that create jobs had a tough time launching. That’s why Illinois’ unemployment remains high and salaries depressed during a national labor shortage. Bryce Hill joins the Policy Shop to explain. Host: Hilary Gowins Guest: Bryce Hill

Ep. 26: How to avoid a small business tax hike

The number one fiscal priority for Illinois lawmakers is something most aren’t talking about: refilling the trust fund for unemployment insurance. Otherwise, small businesses face another tax hike after a grueling two years in which many businesses struggled and failed. The best way to prevent a large tax hike on businesses is to use what...

Ep. 25: 700 days under Pritzker’s emergency powers

On Monday, Feb. 28, Illinois’ mask mandate will end. Pritzker exempted schools from that end date, but legislators and the courts have stepped in, effectively ending the school mask mandate. One thing that won’t end? The governor’s one-man executive authority.

Ep. 24: Property tax pain gets worse in Chicago with Orphe Divounguy

Chicago property taxes nearly doubled over the past decade. This hurts homeowners and renters alike, as rents in Chicago have increased by 8.5%. What’s driving the problem (public pensions) and how do we fix it? Orphe Divounguy joins The Policy Shop to explain.

Ep. 23: An economist’s perspective: How’s Illinois’ economy really doing?

Soaring inflation. Slow job creation. Lagging GDP from record population loss. Illinois’ economy is facing several unique factors all at once. Orphe Divounguy joins the Policy Shop to break down the current state of Illinois’ economy and how Illinois becomes a place where businesses, job seekers and homeowners want to invest.

Ep. 22: How do we fix the broken state budget …for real? with Adam Schuster

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to deliver his fourth budget address today, Feb. 2. Billions in federal relief funds temporarily helped state finances. But without key reforms, state debt will be back to where it was or worse. Adam Schuster joins the Policy Shop to walk through the simple solutions to fix Illinois’ budget.....

Ep. 21: Incremental pension reform with Adam Schuster

When it comes to pensions, it’s unfair to shove more workers into a broken system while the General Assembly drags its feet on real reform. What if, while we continue working toward constitutional pension reform, we could give government workers the option for more flexibility in their retirement now? Adam Schuster joins the Policy Shop...