Author: Frank Manzo IV

Frank Manzo IV, MPP is the Policy Director of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute. He earned a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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Public Universities and Community Colleges Boost the Illinois Economy by $16 Billion Every Year

Frank Manzo IV

A recent report by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (PMCR) assesses the positive economic impacts of public universities and colleges in Illinois and measures the costs of the two-year budget impasse.  Continue reading “Public Universities and Community Colleges Boost the Illinois Economy by $16 Billion Every Year”

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Tax Dollars Should Be Spent on Broad-Based Investments, Not Corporate Subsidies

Frank Manzo IV

Illinois has spent at least $4.9 billion in state and local business subsidies since 2000, after adjusting for inflation. This equates to $288.5 million per year. While these subsidies have saved or created some jobs in the state, Illinois could have created even more jobs and more economic growth if tax dollars had instead been invested in public infrastructure and public education.

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Education and Infrastructure Grow the Economy. Other Proposals Being Debated in Illinois Don’t.

Frank Manzo IV

With the State of Illinois finally having a new budget for the first time in two years, the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Illinois Economic Policy Institute evaluated the economic research on policy measures currently under consideration by state lawmakers.

The full report is available here: Public Policies That Grow the Illinois Economy: An Evidence-Based Review of the Current Debate.  Continue reading “Education and Infrastructure Grow the Economy. Other Proposals Being Debated in Illinois Don’t.”

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ILEPI Testimony on the Potential IDOT Shutdown

Frank Manzo IV

If Illinois’ state budget crisis is not resolved by June 30, 2017, all existing Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) road, bridge, and transit projects will be stopped.

Yesterday, Frank Manzo IV, Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) Policy Director, testified before the Illinois General Assembly. Please CLICK HERE to read the full testimony. The following is an edited version of the testimony.

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10 Reasons Why Peoria Remains a Great Place to Do Business

Frank Manzo IV

The Union-Business Case for Firm Relocation and Investment in Illinois and Peoria is available here.

In April 2016, the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Illinois Economic Policy Institute jointly released an economic commentary outlining the top ten reasons for a business to locate to the Peoria area in Illinois. The report, which was originally limited to the Peoria area, is now available to the broader public.

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The Illinois Tollway Board Votes to Move the Route 53/120 Extension Forward

Frank Manzo IV

The Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) supports the Illinois Tollway Board’s decision to advance the proposed Route 53/120 Extension project through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). ILEPI recently released a project analysis which found that demographic and economic trends convincingly … Continue reading The Illinois Tollway Board Votes to Move the Route 53/120 Extension Forward

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Illinois Unemployment Fell, But Job Growth Was Slow Over Past Year

Frank Manzo IV

In Friday’s release on state employment and unemployment, there are both positives and negatives for Illinois. On the positive side, Illinois had the 4th-largest decline in the unemployment rate over the past year and now has a lower unemployment rate than states like Georgia, Texas, and California. On the negative side, Illinois had the 9th-worst job growth over the year.

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