A new report by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign finds that legalizing and taxing sports betting could create 2,500 jobs and increase state tax revenue by about $100 million annually.
Continue reading “Legalizing Sports Betting Could Generate $100 Million in Tax Revenue in Illinois”
La Grange: A program to legalize sports betting could create 2,500 jobs, increase tax revenue by $100 million annually, grow the Illinois economy by over $500 million, and reduce illicit black market gambling, according to a new study by the … Continue reading New Report Assesses Proposals to Legalize Sports Betting in Illinois
Eliminating the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program would directly impact more than 464,000 people in Illinois; state and local governments would lose access to $116 million in federal funding. Continue reading “Eliminating the Community Development Block Grant Program Would Hurt the Illinois Economy”
Economic development subsidies should create jobs, increase wages, and promote positive economic growth, but these goals do not consistently prevail. Continue reading “Reforms Needed to Ensure Accountability in Economic Development Subsidies”
Subsidies play a prominent role in economic development policy at both the state and local levels in Illinois, yet subsidy policies continue to lack the strict scrutiny they deserve. Continue reading “Economic Development Subsidies Not Consistent with Socio-Economic Needs”
Since 1985, state and local governments in Illinois have doled out at least $5 billion in economic development subsidies. In particular, three companies have received over $900 million from Illinois taxpayers: Sears, Mitsubishi Motors, and Motorola. In these three cases, employment eventually fell and plants even closed despite the massive amounts of money provided. Continue reading “Illinois Has Doled Out $5 Billion in Corporate Subsidies Since 1985”
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.
Continue reading “10 Reasons Why Peoria Remains a Great Place to Do Business”
The Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) supports the Illinois Tollway Board’s decision to advance the Central Tri-State project, which will bring far-reaching benefits to the region, including economic development, job creation, and the increased ability to stay competitive.
Continue reading “The Illinois Tollway Board Advances the I-294 Central Tri-State Project”
Indiana is well-positioned to improve its transportation infrastructure. Providing further investment in the network would support business growth and a thriving economy. Continue reading “HB 1002: Investing in Indiana’s Future”
Repealing Kentucky’s prevailing wage law would weaken the state’s economy, according to a new study.
Eliminating prevailing wage would cause a pay cut for middle-class workers, qualify more workers for public assistance, slash apprenticeship training, and result in more of Kentucky’s tax dollars going to out-of-state or foreign contractors. Veterans, who populate construction trades at a higher rate than non-veterans, would be particularly impacted if Kentucky were to repeal its prevailing wage standards.
Continue reading “Prevailing Wage Repeal Would Hurt Kentucky’s Economy”
Episode 4 of the For A Living podcast has been posted on iTunes and on SoundCloud. The episode investigates the pros and cons of international trade. Continue reading “Podcast: International Trade Costs and Benefits”
The Illinois Update 