Illinois’ record-low unemployment rate has been driven entirely by Illinoisans exiting the workforce. The rest of the nation achieved record-low unemployment rates through strong employment growth.

Lobbying by current and newly retired lawmakers, other forms of employment, ownership and investments all have the potential to pose a conflict if a bill in the General Assembly substantially affects those specific interests.

New Jersey is currently the only state in the nation with a blanket ban on drivers pumping their own gas. Oregon in 2018 loosened its mandatory gas station attendant law, allowing drivers to use the pump themselves in most counties with fewer than 40,000 people.

Local officials and residents are pressing multiple government agencies to rid the 280-acre state-owned site northwest of Harlem Avenue and 183rd Street of environmental hazards and put the property to a better use.

“Unfortunately that casual pacing applies not only to a project that began long ago, but also to millions of metro Chicagoans who never again will trust a state of Illinois projected completion date or anticipated cost.”

It’s been less than a year since the gas tax was raised statewide, and now gas prices could be going up again. A new bill would allow local governments to vote on whether they’d like to increase the fuel tax locally, by three cents.

Illinois is listed in 17th place, in a tie with both Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.The report looked at voter turnout, registration rates and donation data.

The State of Illinois collected nearly $240 million through a recent tax amnesty program, but similar programs in the future could yield diminishing returns, according to a public finance economist.

The bill, which could be enacted this spring, is a series of incentives and punishments that would shift the state’s energy portfolio – and a portion of its workforce – away from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The two disgruntled unions, threatening to strike, also have employees under the State Library, the State Archives, securities personnel and they run the capitol complex property.

The 15th Congressional District, which spans nearly 15,000 square miles of southern and central Illinois, will likely be eliminated after the 2020 census because its population has been steadily dwindling.

Governor Pritker floated this idea earlier for Illinois but dropped it in face of stiff opposition.

The Illinois State Senate is moving forward on a bill to ban lawmakers from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving office. The “revolving door ban” would put Illinois in line with most other states’ policies.

The Invest in Kids private school scholarship program offers a 75 percent state tax rebate in exchange for a donation to help a student go to the school of their choice tuition-free. In 2019, more than 46,000 students applied.

Businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies across the state are coming to grips with a minimum wage that increased from $8.25 per hour to $9.25 per hour on Jan. 1, and will increase to $10 on July 1.

Tollway leaders dismissed questions of nepotism when asked about nine ex-CHA staffers who were hired from August through December and are paid more than $1.3 million collectively. Executive Director Jose Alvarez, the former CHA chief operating officer, joined the tollway in April.

In nearly 1½ years, Ring, with its associated Neighbors app, has gained relationships with at least 90 police departments in Illinois. While money is not involved in the deals, police are encouraged to promote Ring and the Neighbors app over social media and other means.

The Greater Racine County Talent Recruitment Initiative which has been building for about the past two years, designed to convert tourists into residents. It targets Illinois professionals in healthcare and manufacturing/STEM fields to move to and work in Racine County.

“Everywhere I go, I hear a new optimism that Illinois is finally getting on the right path and that our future is brighter.”