http://www.illinoisinnovation.com/innovation-index/illinois-rd/?utm_source=Innovation Index 2014 Q1&utm_medium=email &utm_campaign=Innovation Index 2014 Q1

The state of Illinois is getting help from the federal government to get rid of blight in communities throughout the state.  The U.S. Department of the Treasury is supporting the Illinois Housing Development Authority by giving $30 million to their efforts. http://www.wics.com/news/top-stories/stories/illinois-gets-30-million-deal-blighted-properties-16327.shtml

How would you like to go online and see what your local government is doing?  State Sen. Karen McConnaughay, R-South Elgin, has introduced three bills that would do just that: mandate that financial, political and general government information be available on each Illinois city’s website. http://ilnews.org/a-call-for-greater-government-transparency/

The Midwest’s biotech promise is overshadowed by the flashy tech startups coming out of Chicago and Champaign, and the deal flow trails the quiet-but-productive business-to-business tech industry. Part of the reason is complexity. http://bluesky.chicagotribune.com/chi-midwest-biotech-ibio-bsi-20140328,0,0.story?track=bluesky-ct-head

In a global economy, where competitive countries battle for business with well-trained, disciplined, experienced employees, America is putting itself at a disadvantage by keeping young Americans off the first rung of the career ladder. http://economics21.org/commentary/raise-your-states-minimum-wage-why-be-california

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg donated an eye-popping $500,000 to Yes! For Independent Maps, the group running a petition drive to put on the November ballot a proposed “Illinois Independent Redistricting Amendment” to change the system for drawing the boundaries for the Illinois legislative districts. The jumbo donation from Bloomberg is the largest the group so far has received. via Bloomberg donates $500,000 to Yes! Illinois remap overhaul drive | Early & Often.

Chicago property owners will face $250 million in property tax increases over five years while city employees make increased pension contributions that will cost them at least $300 more a year, under landmark reforms unveiled Monday.   http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/exclusive-pension-deal-pinches-city-workers-and-taxpayers/mon-03312014-821pm