The Illinois Economic Policy Institute is pleased to announce the launch of The Illinois Update, an educational media project designed to report on public policies that impact Illinois and the Midwest. Continue reading “Welcome to The Illinois Update!”
States with higher minimum wages have added more jobs over the past 12 months. That’s the conclusion of a new Economic Commentary [PDF] released by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, which evaluates recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. … Continue reading States with Higher Minimum Wages Added More Jobs Over the Past Year
Illinois now has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, tied with only Alaska. In the month prior to Governor Rauner assuming office – when Illinois had an operating budget – the state’s unemployment rate was 6.0%, compared to a national rate of … Continue reading Illinois Has the Highest Unemployment in the Nation
State of Illinois needs to invest more – not less – in higher education. A new ILEPI Economic Commentary examines the rising costs of higher education in Illinois’ public 4-year universities and the potential economic gains associated with lowering tuition costs. … Continue reading Illinois Would Benefit from Affordable Tuition
This report is the first in a five-part series on the “State of the Unions” for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. All five reports are available at this link. CHICAGO- A new study released today finds that labor unions play … Continue reading The State of Illinois’ Unions in 2016
Inequality is on the rise. A recent ILEPI Economic Commentary shows Illinois’ growing inequality in two simple graphs. In Illinois, The Top 10 Percent and the Top 1 Percent of workers have experienced substantial increases in hourly earnings since 1985. Over … Continue reading Rising Wage Inequality in Illinois in 2 Graphs
Report Finds That As Hundreds Of Thousands Of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Enter Work Force, Prevailing Wage Greatly Improves Economic Outcomes For Veterans A first-of-its-kind study released on May 10, 2016 finds that prevailing wage greatly improves economic outcomes … Continue reading Attacks On Prevailing Wage Laws Disproportionally Hurt Veterans
Illinois’ budget crisis can be resolved by raising taxes on the rich and cutting taxes for low-income and middle-class families, according to a new Policy Brief by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI). The memorandum corroborates recommendations by the non-partisan Civic Federation, the … Continue reading A Graduated Income Tax Could Save Illinois
Across America, local units of government are adopting responsible contracting policies. Localities as diverse as Seattle, Washington and Portage, Indiana have included provisions to encourage contractors to use taxpayer dollars responsibly. The goal of the provisions is to balance the … Continue reading Responsible Bidder Ordinances Promote Quality Construction
The story of Illinois’ manufacturing is way less cut-and-dried than some think tanks want you to believe. While Illinois has added fewer manufacturing jobs than Indiana over recent years, manufacturing earnings have grown at a much faster pace in Illinois. … Continue reading The Illinois Manufacturing Story is More of a Mixed Bag Than Some Say
Both Texas and Illinois have crumbling roads and bridges that require revenues to repair their current transit systems. Which state does it better? It is sometimes claimed that Texas has better infrastructure than Illinois, but a new ILEPI Economic Commentary finds that … Continue reading Transportation Infrastructure in Illinois vs. Texas
The annual benefit of paying union dues is very high in Illinois, according to a new study. For every $1 paid in dues and fees, a union member gets back an estimated $6.12 in after-tax income. This financial return on investment is … Continue reading Union Members Get Back $6 for Every Dollar Contributed in Dues
The Illinois Update 