Illinois

Anatomy of a Failed Liberal State

When I grew up in the north suburbs of Chicago in the 1960s and '70s, Illinois was still a financial and industrial powerhouse. The Land of Lincoln had a low-rate flat income tax, the property taxes were reasonable, the state ran budget surpluses, and Illinois was the home of such iconic mega-employers as Caterpillar, Sears Roebuck and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The public schools were pretty good back then and a dedicated corps of teachers put kids first — they didn't walk out on strike, and they didn't have the fat pensions they can get now when retiring at age 55.

Pensions Remain Illinois' Ball and Chain

The state Supreme Court shot down attempts to rein in public worker pensions.

IN and IL's Economic Feud Turning to a WWE Smackdown

Two IL National Guardsmen Planned ISIL Attack in U.S.

A Blow to Illinois Unions Is a Win for Jobs

Gov. Rauner will allow state workers to opt out of paying union dues.

Realtors Say Guns Are Scary

Gun-free house showings.