Karen Kidd Stories | Dupage Policy Journal

Chicago, other elite cities attracting companies away from downstate, economic columnist says

By Karen Kidd | Feb 19, 2017

Large manufacturing companies no longer require general prosperity in the domestic market to succeed, a reality that is exacerbating Illinois' already dire economic situation, a Manhattan Institute senior fellow said during a recent radio talk show in Chicago.

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Manufacturer: Trump's election alone has improved industry outlook

By Karen Kidd | Feb 19, 2017

President Donald Trump has already boosted U.S. manufacturers' outlook, the president of a company that moved from Illinois to Indiana recently said on a Chicago-based radio talk show.

Dropping home values, high property taxes push Illinois toward financial cliff, analyst says

By Karen Kidd | Jan 22, 2017

Illinois residents -- burdened with falling home values and high property taxes -- are headed toward a cliff if Springfield doesn't do something soon to pull the state back from the precipice, a financial analyst.

Cato Institute fellow: 'Fiscal sword of Damocles' hangs over Illinois

By Karen Kidd | Jan 18, 2017

The Cato Institute economist who recently said Illinois has entered a death spiral admitted on a recent Chicago-based radio show that his statement is hyperbole — but not by much.

Critics point out hypocrisy in Madigan attack on Rauner regarding wealth and power

By Karen Kidd | Jan 16, 2017

There's a certain hypocrisy to House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) accusing Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner of holding the budget process hostage for his wealthy friends and big business in general, a radio talk show's co-hosts said recently.

Frustrated Illinois manufacturer flees to Indiana's 'affordable shore' next door

By Karen Kidd | Jan 16, 2017

The president of a company that moved from Illinois to Indiana said recently on a Chicago radio talk show that he looks back on Illinois and hopes that one day, the state will get its act together.

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Lyons businessman says workers' comp costs weighing down state's businesses

By Karen Kidd | Dec 24, 2016

Workers' compensation costs in Illinois are one of three burdens manufacturers must endure to remain in the state, a Cook County businessman and officer in a large industry political action committee said during a recent conservative radio show interview.

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Radio hosts: Pointless-hole stunt a metaphor for state government

By Karen Kidd | Dec 18, 2016

Cards Against Humanity's Black Friday fundraising stunt, the Fordham Spire and Illinois politics have something in common, about which two hosts on a conservative radio talk show recently speculated.

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Trust issues doomed Chicago Public Schools pension bailout bill, reporter claims

By Karen Kidd | Dec 8, 2016

The reporter's eye view of the apparent disagreement between lawmakers that killed a $215 million bill to bail out Chicago Public Schools' pension fund at the end of 2016 observed the growing acrimony in Springfield over the proposal, a journalist said during the aftermath.

Proposal would replace pensions with 401(k)-style plans for new public hires

By Karen Kidd | Dec 4, 2016

With Illinois' state pension liability 17 percent more than it was last year, the vice president of a Chicago-based think tank recently said that 401(k)-style plans for public employees would go a long way toward easing the pension crisis.

Election losses have taken some shine off Madigan's rose, analyst says

By Karen Kidd | Dec 4, 2016

Voting for state Rep. Mike Madigan to serve yet another term as House Speaker may be more difficult for Democrats this time, according to the screenwriter for a documentary about the Chicago Democrat.

Think tank: Further talks between state, AFSCME would be waste of time

By Karen Kidd | Nov 28, 2016

The state's largest public employee union is calling for Gov. Bruce Rauner to continue negotiating after talks were declared to be at an impasse earlier this month, but further talks with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) would be pointless, an attorney for a Chicago-based think tank said recently.

Illinois' high property taxes drive down home values

By Karen Kidd | Nov 17, 2016

Illinois' high taxes not only hurt struggling taxpayers who shoulder that burden, but they also drive down home values across the state, a recent report issued by a Chicago-based think tank indicates.

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Think-tank analysts scold Madigan for not wanting to release tax returns

By Karen Kidd | Nov 14, 2016

The co-founders of a Chicago-based public policy think tank recently challenged an assertion by House Speaker Mike Madigan's (D-Chicago) spokesman that Madigan shouldn't have to release his tax returns as Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has done.

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Trump carries 91 of 102 counties in Illinois

By Karen Kidd | Nov 13, 2016

President-elect Donald Trump won all but 11 of Illinois' 102 counties in the Nov. 8 election despite losing the popular vote in the state.

Democrats lose veto-proof state House supermajority

By Karen Kidd | Nov 9, 2016

Illinois voters erased the General Assembly's Democratic state House supermajority on Tuesday.

Despite criticism, Illinois voters overwhelmingly approve Safe Roads Amendment

By Karen Kidd | Nov 9, 2016

Illinois' Constitution will be amended to include the so-called "Safe Roads Amendment," meant to allocate billions for transportation projects; but opponents say it will cause financial strain in an already financially strained state, after voters passed the measure during Tuesday's general election.

If Illinois Dems win big, they risk owning way more than just victory

By Karen Kidd | Nov 7, 2016

While online campaigning and phone polling are changing the way elections happen, Democrats in Springfield may find themselves in an unfamiliar position if they should win a super-majority next week, a Chicago-area political reporter said during a radio interview.

Illinois taxpayers must demand that legislators reform pension system, analyst says

By Karen Kidd | Nov 6, 2016

Illinois taxpayers need to send a clear message to the General Assembly to work with the governor and tackle the state's trillions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities, the president of a government advisory group said during a recent radio interview.

Analyst: Illinois must create less-hostile tax climate to retain residents, businesses

By Karen Kidd | Nov 4, 2016

Illinois needs to diversify its tax base and to make changes to become more competitive if it wants to stem the tide of people leaving the state, an analyst for an independent policy organization said during a recent radio show interview.

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