Michael Lucci News
Illinois’ incredible, shrinking business establishments
The number of business establishments – farms, factories, businesses, stores, etc. – has grown in Illinois in the last 15 years.
Madigan does not understand what's wrong with Illinois' economy and broken workers' compensation system
Illinois House of Representatives Speaker Mike Madigan’s comments at a recent event prove that the long-serving speaker simply does not understand the problems Illinois faces in terms of low wages for the working class, significant blue-collar job losses and a broken workers’ compensation system.
How to heal Illinois' economy: Reform permission, friction and preparation policies
Illinois can implement several reforms now to remove obstacles to starting businesses, reduce the cost and aggravation of doing business, and more effectively educate the next generation of workers.
Strong Illinois jobs report in October, but losses continue in manufacturing
New federal jobs data reveal Illinois gained 14,100 jobs overall during October, but lost 1,900 manufacturing jobs during this time.
Illinois would have 84,000 more manufacturing jobs had it kept up with neighboring states
Illinois has the worst manufacturing jobs recovery from the Great Recession of any neighboring state, according to data released in October by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS.
Illinois’ tax revenues increased more than those of any state but North Dakota since Great Recession
Illinois has a spending problem, not a revenue problem – and a new study from The Pew Charitable Trusts confirms that fact. The study shows that as of the first quarter of 2015, Illinois’ tax revenues had grown by almost 20 percent over tax receipts from just prior to the 2008 recession, which is more than any other state except North Dakota.
Food stamp enrollment still outpaces job growth in Illinois
Illinois’ dismal business climate continues to inhibit jobs growth, especially in manufacturing, as the state put 25 people on food stamps for every factory job created during the recovery from the Great Recession.
2011 income tax hike drove wealthier Illinoisans out of state
The average income of people leaving Illinois shot up by $8,000 in the first year of the state’s 2011 income tax hike.
New IRS data: Illinois lost migration battle with every state in the country
A new data release from the Internal Revenue Service can only be described as a complete embarrassment for the Prairie State.
Illinois' regional pain points revealed in county data on food-stamp dependency
Areas of Illinois that are driven by backbone industries such as manufacturing are being hollowed out. That reality is showing up in the form of government dependence.
Hey, Speaker Madigan: Illinois' No. 1 budget problem is taxpayers fleeing the state
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has spent recent weeks promoting half-truths about the problems facing the state.