Frank Manzo IV
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Illinois can overcome its challenging budget realitiesJan 26, 2025 5:49 am - To overcome a challenging fiscal environment, Illinois should find operational efficiencies and continue its commitment to fiscally responsible budgeting while making necessary improvements to our transportation systems, addressing education needs, and continuing to improve pensions.
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Illinois is better prepared for the next recessionDec 29, 2024 5:15 am - For much of the past two decades, Illinois’ recession preparedness was wholly inadequate. But new research from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois reveals a major shift compared to where our state was during the last two major economic downturns — the Great Recession and the COVID-19 recession.
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Time running out for lawmakers to address public transit fiscal cliffOct 06, 2024 7:00 am - Efficient, accessible, and safe public transportation is essential to a robust Illinois economy. Our public transit systems connect workers to jobs, bring customers to co...
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Gains in private sector union membership show a labor revival is possibleSep 01, 2024 5:45 am - On this Labor Day, unions in Illinois are organizing new industries and boosting job quality despite dealing with an economy in transition and persistent legal and politi...
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Time for the Fed to cut interest ratesAug 11, 2024 6:02 am - While the Fed’s initial decision to hike interest rates was a policy intervention designed to slow inflation, a decision to keep rates high creates real headwinds for the housing market
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Manzo: Motor fuel tax adjustment is paying dividendsJul 14, 2024 5:13 am - There has been a lot of media coverage lately about the annual inflation adjustment to Illinois’ motor fuel tax, which increased by 1.5 cents per gallon on July 1. But i...
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New Child Tax Credit is a big deal, but more can be done for middle class familiesJun 20, 2024 1:22 pm - In the last days of its most recent legislative session, Illinois took a historic step, becoming the 15th state to enact a Child Tax Credit. Child tax credits are powerfu...
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Cleared-for-takeoff O’Hare modernization program will boost our economyMay 19, 2024 6:00 am - O’Hare International Airport is critical to the competitive strength of our businesses and the productivity of our workers. O’Hare is the “most connected airport” in the ...
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Public sector labor shortage hurts vital services and communities, not faceless bureaucratsMay 07, 2024 5:34 am - Illinois is facing a severe shortage of workers in key public service roles. The shortage partially is due to a robust labor market. Although Illinois’ unemployment rate ...
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Strong Illinois economy has been very good for businessMar 24, 2024 5:02 am - Don’t tell the naysayers, but Illinois’ economy continues to remain strong. We are America’s sixth-largest state and fifth-largest economy, now generating $1.1 trillion a...