Matt Paprocki
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Illinois leaders: Stop pushing for big government, start helping small businessesFeb 15, 2025 1:17 pm - Having access to meaningful work is one of the most important factors for families deciding where to plant roots. But since the onset of the pandemic, it’s been increasingly hard to find work in Illinois.
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Votes on 3 long-neglected state issues can help Illinois businessesJan 19, 2025 5:26 am - On April 1, nine suburban townships will ask their community of voters about three pressing issues affecting Illinois and its business environment. Advisory questions in...
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2024’s highs, lows for Illinois businesses; getting more highs in 2025Dec 22, 2024 6:04 am - In 2025, Illinois lawmakers must prioritize improving the business environment to foster growth and stability. Anything else will hurt our job creators, which hurts us all.
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Why occupational licensing reform can boost Illinois businessNov 24, 2024 6:00 am - In Illinois, nearly 1 in 4 workers requires an occupational license to perform more than 100 different professions. With one of the most restrictive licensing systems in the country, Illinois has lost 135,000 jobs and $15 billion in economic activity.
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How ‘millionaire’s tax’ ballot question hides a business tax hikeOct 20, 2024 6:02 am - The proposed tax promises property tax relief by hitting millionaires. But “millionaires” in Illinois more often than not are entrepreneurs, S-corps, partnerships, LLCs, farmers and sole proprietors.
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Suburbs shouldn’t impose their own grocery taxesSep 29, 2024 5:13 am - Gov. JB Pritzker attempted some political theater this spring when he and the General Assembly eliminated the statewide grocery tax. It was a hollow victory for taxpayers.
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Does Illinois have a path to public pension reform?Sep 08, 2024 5:12 am - Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension crisis shouldn’t come as a surprise. For years economists have been sounding the alarm that Illinois’ pension problem is growing from financially painful to potentially unsolvable.
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Trust pros to help cut red tape, build more suburban housingJul 31, 2024 9:24 am - As Cook County property taxes hit Aug. 1, businesses and residents inevitably will see tax hikes. These rising bills, along with burdensome government regulations, make I...
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Good business starts with good educationJul 07, 2024 5:04 am - The state of education in Illinois is nothing short of a crisis — only 29% of our third-grade students are meeting reading proficiency standards, according to state data....
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Rushed pension reform will hurt businesses, residentsJun 09, 2024 5:39 am - Last month, the Illinois General Assembly passed a $53.1 billion budget, the state’s largest ever and $400 million higher than Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushed for in February. ...