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Their View
Chicago criminals out on probation/parole/pretrial release continue violence in 2024
One thing Chicagoans can’t help but notice when scrolling through news feeds: the number of violent crimes committed by defendants while they were out either on parole, probation or awaiting trial.
Their View
Let the government censor away through agents it controls, say Kwame Raoul and Cabal of A.G.s to U.S. Supreme Court
This shouldn’t be hard to understand: If you think government should have the power to censor what it says is false, then you don’t believe in the bedrock of a democratic republic: free speech.
Their View
Township supervisor gets $224K, but salary drops to $25K if voters pick someone else
An embattled Chicago-area township supervisor is being accused of discouraging competition ahead of her campaign by cutting the position’s pay if she loses. It may be illegal, but someone would need to sue.
Their View
5 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, most add jobs in December
Seven of 13 Illinois metro areas added jobs from November to December 2023, led by the St. Louis area. Five metros still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic.
Their View
States are rejecting progressive tax schemes, moving to flat tax structures
In 2020, Illinoisans rejected Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his legislative allies’ push for a progressive income tax scheme in Illinois. And with it, they rejected claims a progressive tax would “modernize” Illinois’ income tax.
Their View
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker cheers ‘record-setting growth for adult-use cannabis sales’
Health and mental effects of cannabis use are described here by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. And the Wall Street Journal has a great new column on how badly the government is understating harm from cannabis.
Their View
How much dishonesty about illegal immigrants can Gov. Pritzker cram into a minute and a half?
Gov. JB Pritzker was asked last week for his response to press conferences where some lawmakers called for an end to Illinois’ status as a sanctuary or welcoming state and want more transparency on what’s being spent on migrants.
Their View
Here’s what’s wrong with Pritzker’s emergency power proclamation for immigration crisis
You needn’t look much beyond the four corners of Gov. JB Pritzker’s latest emergency disaster proclamation to see what’s wrong with Illinois’ response to illegal immigration. Pritzker issued his eighteenth such monthly proclamation on January 5.
Their View
Illinois tax rates out-of-sync with those in neighboring states, most of the nation
There are many factors that motivate people to move out of Illinois, but taxes often rank highest on the list. For good reason.
Their View
Illinois’ new nuclear bill goes dark before it can spark
While technically ending Illinois’ nuclear power plant moratorium, a new law does not allow even one watt of nuclear energy to be generated for the public electrical grid.
Their View
Illinois is a moderate state: Its progressive leaders are out of touch
For its New Year’s resolution, Illinois should look in the mirror and acknowledge what it is.
Their View
As population woes continue, Illinois’ loss of congressional seats could accelerate
Illinois’ leaders can deny the state’s population problems all they want, but a collapse in the state’s number of congressional seats is proof enough of the state’s population woes.
Their View
Avoiding a conflict of interest: Nearly a third of Illinois lawmakers have rejected a taxpayer-funded pension
Illinois’ public pension crisis is coming to the fore after three years of being ignored during covid. Billions in federal aid to both the private and public sectors helped Illinois politicians paper over the state’s growing debts and worsening retiree security, but with pandemic aid finally drying up, they soon won’t be able to ignore the problems.
Their View
Illinois population drops for 10th year in a row during 2023
People moving out of Illinois led to the 10th consecutive year of population decline, new Census Bureau data shows.
Their View
It's A Wonderful County!
Hope born of the realization that despite all the negative publicity, (Madison County) really was a Wonderful County, and the power to change the current course of events comes from within–within him and all who think alike.
Their View
Property taxes on 'Home Alone' house jump 57% in 1 year
The current owners Kevin McCallister’s house from “Home Alone” will pay more than $50,000 in property taxes this year. Illinoisans pay the second-highest property taxes in the nation on average.
Their View
Illinois still hasn't finalized contract with state workers
The contract negotiated between the state and AFSCME Council 31 was ratified by members in July. But the final contract has yet to be released, meaning taxpayers don’t yet know how much it will cost them.
Their View
The costs of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Illinois universities
Several Ivy League schools have been put under a national microscope recently for applying the right to free speech inconsistently. These universities are giving some groups unwavering protection to protest, while shutting down other groups altogether. These inconsistencies have one common denominator: Higher education’s unwavering devotion to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Their View
Illinois’ long slide in manufacturing jobs continues
Short-term. Long-term. No matter how you slice it, Illinois’ manufacturing sector is in trouble.
Their View
Illinois again seeing one of the most-contested elections in two decades
Illinois politicians have worked hard to protect incumbent state lawmakers and discourage newcomers. But that is changing for the second election cycle in a row as more Illinoisans work to get into the Illinois General Assembly.