A new report released by the Illinois Policy Institute on prevailing wage is factually inaccurate. Here’s why.
Continue reading “The Illinois Policy Institute Receives a Failing Grade on Prevailing Wage”
Illinois lawmakers finally negotiated a stopgap deal to fund the state over the next six months. While this was a great first step, the Illinois public should not soon forget the costs of the budget impasse. Here is a super-quick rundown of the costs that the Illinois Economic Policy Institute compiled over the weekend. Continue reading “Remember, Remember the Budget Impasse this November”
With the end of FY2016 tomorrow, Illinois has gone over a year without a budget. With no adequate plan for spending, the lack of funding has severely impacted the capacity of many vital social, health, and educational organizations to provide … Continue reading The Stopgap Bill Helps But Does Not Solve Budget Issues
The State of Illinois should restore investment in wind power and other clean energy infrastructure to at least 2015 levels, according to the Illinois Economic Policy Institute in a new Economic Commentary [PDF].
Wind power generates positive impacts for the people of Illinois. Previous investments already prevent the emission of 7.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from Illinois and save 4.5 billion gallons of water every year. In addition, wind power has saved Illinois residents millions of dollars.
Continue reading “Illinois Should Restore Wind Energy Funding”
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
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
We’re sick of the dysfunction in Illinois.
As someone who was born after 1981, I am considered a “millennial.” Last summer, my generation became the largest cohort in America.
We outnumber all other generations, but still it often seems that elected officials in Springfield have little concern for our general well-being.
Millennials tend to think that the government should be more involved in making college affordable, helping the poor, and creating jobs. We care about equality – both economic and social. And a smaller share of us sees a real difference between the Republicans and the Democrats.
So let’s just take a quick look at how Illinois is faring on those policy issues – college affordability, helping the poor, job creation, and equality. Continue reading “Grow Up.”
In a decision on Wednesday, a federal judge in Kentucky ruled that the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) prohibits local units of government from enacting “right-to-work” zones.
Frank Manzo IV is the Policy Director of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI). Visit ILEPI at www.illinoisepi.org or follow ILEPI on Twitter @illinoisEPI. This post is part of the “Frankonomics” series. Governor Rauner gave the annual “State of the State” Address this … Continue reading The Private Sector Is NOT Doing Well Under Rauner
This study was originally published on June 22, 2015. CHICAGO- Illinois can no longer afford to be a “donor state,” according to a study by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI). A “donor state” contributes significantly more money in federal … Continue reading Illinois Can No Longer Afford to Be a Donor State
Frank Manzo IV is the Policy Director of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI). Visit ILEPI at http://www.illinoisepi.org or follow ILEPI on Twitter @illinoisEPI. “Right-to-work” laws have the largest negative impacts on construction workers, according to a new ILEPI Economic … Continue reading Construction Workers Are the Major Victims of Right-to-Work Laws
The Illinois Update 