EDGE tax credit program expires, but extension passes Illinois House

By Brendan Bakala

05/01/2017

Illinois’ EDGE tax credit program expired April 30; however, proponents of EDGE have passed a one-month extension in the Illinois House of Representatives.

TAGS: David McSweeney, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Mark Batinick, Natalie Manley, Scott Drury, tax credits

Amazon received more than $112 million in EDGE tax credits in 2016

By Brendan Bakala

04/14/2017

In exchange for more than $112 million in tax breaks, Amazon promised to expand its Illinois operations and hire 7,200 new employees in Aurora, Monee and Joliet.

TAGS: Amazon, Aurora, cronyism, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, jobs, Joliet, Monee, tax credits

Illinois gives The Advisory Board Co. a $2.6M tax break

By Brendan Bakala

04/07/2017

Under a 2015 agreement between the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and The Advisory Board Co., the state gave a tax credit worth millions of dollars in exchange for 55 jobs.

TAGS: DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, tax credits, taxes

Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget

By Amy Korte

03/28/2017

Illinois House Bill 3868 would give Gov. Bruce Rauner the authority to trim costs and reorder the state’s spending priorities to balance the budget.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, Bruce Rauner, budget, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, debt, Fitch Ratings, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Constitution, Jim Durkin, Mike Madigan, spending, unpaid bills

Lawmakers and special interests propose revamped EDGE tax credit program

By Brendan Bakala

03/20/2017

As state debts mount and budget plans remain in limbo, Illinois lawmakers move to expand EDGE tax credits.

TAGS: cronyism, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Michael Zalewski, tax credits

Rivian Automotive gets $49.5 million in state tax credits for 1,000 jobs over 10 years

By Brendan Bakala

03/08/2017

The car manufacturer is promising to bring more than 1,000 jobs to Normal, Ill., after being offered $49.5 million in state tax credits and more in local tax credits and abatements.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, cronyism, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, jobs, manufacturing, tax credits

Illinois extends failed corporate tax credit program

01/23/2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an extension of the EDGE tax credit program, though the program has an unsuccessful record of using taxpayer money.

TAGS: cronyism, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, tax credits, taxes

Illinois’ corporate handout program halted temporarily

12/20/2016

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.

TAGS: cronyism, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, jobs, tax credits

ConAgra move to Chicago is bittersweet for Illinoisans

By Austin Berg

10/07/2015

Downtown appeal and state-issued tax credits mask a discouraging jobs climate statewide.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, ConAgra, DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, jobs, Pat Quinn, tax credits

Illinois DCEO gives Amazon tax credits worth $10 million

By Hilary Gowins

08/12/2015

With special tax breaks for Amazon, Illinois resorts to sweetheart deals to overcome the effects of the state’s anti-growth policies, leaving smaller businesses to shoulder the full tax and regulatory burden.

TAGS: DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, tax credits

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students