JOBS Illinois unemployment rate rises again in July. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced Thursday that the unemployment rate increased +0.2 percentage point to 5.2 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased…

JOBS Uptick in Illinois unemployment during May; House Republicans fight back. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) stated that joblessness rose in May 2024 from the previous month, up 0.1% from 4.8%…

BUDGET Pritzker signs largest budget in state history; $53.1 billion spending plan includes tax hikes, politician pay raises and a billion dollars for non-citizens. On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker signed into…

BUDGET Moody’s adds “positive” outlook to State of Illinois credit rating of A3. This moves Illinois further away from “junk bond” territory. However, Illinois debts continue to have a lower credit…

GENERAL ASSEMBLY Third Reading deadline for House bills. At the end of last week, the Illinois House of Representatives came to its “Third Reading deadline,” which represents the final date that…

CRIMINAL LAW Cashless Bail Fails: Six months of diminished public safety. Six months after the full implementation of the cashless bail, and other provisions, of the Illinois SAFE-T Act, Illinois residents…

DISABILITY SERVICES | HUMAN TRAFFICKING | BUDGET | JOBS DISABILITY SERVICES Rep. Meier, GOP Legislators Continue to Protect Jobs for Workers with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. At a press conference held in…

BUDGET | TAXES | IMMIGRATION | INFLATION BUDGET Governor delivers largest budget proposal in state history and wants to raise taxes. House Republicans respond. Governor JB Pritzker delivered his State of…

JOBS Illinois supplements its overall July 4.5% unemployment report with report on metro areas. The follow-up July report breaks out Illinois’ joblessness numbers with numbers from 14 key metro areas…

STATE GOVERNMENT Watchdog report indicates massive failure of maintenance in Illinois’ prison system. The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) operates 27 correctional facilities throughout the state. Ranging up to maximum…