“This could occur if higher foreign demand for agricultural products led to a strengthening of the dollar, making other Illinois exports less competitive.” Comment: Hmm. Interesting. The argument is based on the assumption that agriculture is less labor intensive than other industries that would be impacted by a higher dollar. Seems to me the real driver of the dollar is interest rates, which for the time being are set artificially anyway, so I’m not so sure.

“McPlan,” it has been called. State Sens. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) and Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) have a budget plan they say calls for spending reductions, protections for elementary and secondary education, pension reform, restructuring and legislative accountability.

Comment: All districts complaining about funding need spotlights put on the facts comparing them to other districts around the state.

Comment: Don’t be so sure.

Research from economists Lawrence Katz from Harvard and Daniel Kessler from Stanford shows that prevailing wage laws slash the wages and job opportunities for black construction workers.

It’s a mixed bag for Illinois’ public universities, which have gone two years without full appropriations from state taxpayers. Some say they’re managing, while others say they’re crumbling.

While many obstacles are ahead on Puerto Rico’s path to financial health, the success of PROMESA and the prioritization of the $17 billion COFINA structure bears close watching for citizens, government officials and investors across the United States. The next chapter for Puerto Rico is likely to establish precedents and processes that guide America’s next wave of municipal restructurings.