THE LATEST
Illinois roadwork projects at risk in budget standoff
June 21st, 2016
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ transportation secretary says the state faces the unprecedented prospect of missing a road construction season if lawmakers fail to approve a stopgap spending plan that Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed. “We’re on the brink of what was once unthinkable: the suspension of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s construction program,” IDOT chief Randy […]
Read moreFix Illinois Roads and Bridges
May 19th, 2016
Over 4,200 Illinois bridges and half of Illinois roads were found to be in poor condition. That puts us in danger of bridge collapses like we saw in Minnesota and Indiana. Bad roads mean more traffic and cost drivers up to $400 a year in vehicle damage. Tell your state legislator to fund Illinois roads […]
Read morePrevailing Wage for Veterans & Their Families
May 13th, 2016
Check out this VoteVets Action Fund video. Prevailing Wage is for Veterans and their Families. https://www.dropbox.com/s/t4sfcvee21jlun1/VoteVets%20Action%20Fund%20-%20Job%20YouTube.mp4?dl=0
Read moreMeet the government guys standing up for franchise workers and contractors
March 10th, 2016
How labor agencies are targeting worker bargaining power in an increasingly outsourced world. By Lydia DePillis March 9 National Labor Relations Board general counsel Richard Griffin has started to restore worker bargaining power in a “fissured” workplace. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post) Richard Griffin swears he had no agenda when he came to serve as […]
Read moreUnions Sue Little Lincolnshire Over Right To Work Ordinance
February 24th, 2016
Four labor unions are suing suburban Lincolnshire to overturn a December ordinance meant to bar private employers from requiring workers to join unions or pay their dues. A suit in Chicago federal court centers on whether a local government even has the power to do that. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan issued a formal opinion […]
Read moreIllinois Spends Less on Higher Education and Transportation than Almost Every Other State
February 22nd, 2016
By Frank Manzo IV Two weeks ago, I wrote about how more infrastructure investment would kickstart the Illinois economy. Transportation infrastructure investment is one government spending item that conclusively boosts employment and reduces costs over the long run. Investment in human capital– in education and skills– is another. Unfortunately, data from the Social Science Research […]
Read moreWhich road funding option is the best for Indiana?
February 17th, 2016
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — Indiana roads are at a crossroads when it comes to upkeep and funding. One Purdue road expert is pushing for a solution, but it will need political backing. Purdue civil engineering professor Kumares Sinha said Indiana once had some of the best roads in the world. But now he says, […]
Read moreCourier-Journal: Why Right to Work Is wrong
January 25th, 2016
I wasn’t surprised to see Kent Oyler’s commentary extolling the benefits of so-called Right to Work. After all, Mr. Oyler’s salary is paid by business owners, for whom busting unions and lowering wages is a long-sought dream. For the rest of us, though, Right to Work (better called Right to Freeload) is a nightmare. And let’s get […]
Read moreIllinois Economic Policy Institute: Fix the Budget
January 25th, 2016
It is time to Fix the Budget in Illinois. The Problem Illinois is experiencing a budget crisis. The State of Illinois now faces a $9 billion annual deficit, according to the Institute of Government & Public Affairs at the University of Illinois. The Governor and the General Assembly are at an impasse, leaving the state […]
Read moreIRIDE: A Smart, Reliable Policy to Fund Transportation Infrastructure
January 11th, 2016
Illinois’ transportation infrastructure has reached a fork in the road. The state can continue down the path of unsustainable funding with deteriorating roads, bridges, and commuter rail OR it can be a global leader in smart, comprehensive infrastructure investment that drives economic growth.
Read moreCurrently, one in every nine bridges is structurally deficient.
November 4th, 2015
Click on the link below to locate the crumbling infrastructure in your area. http://t4america.org/maps-tools/bridges/
Read moreThe Monitor – Spring/Summer 2015
July 20th, 2015
Key Articles: – Getting Congress In Gear – Indiana’s Race To The Bottom – The Future In Davenport, Iowa
Read moreThe Monitor – Fall/Winter 2014
December 20th, 2014
Key Articles: – Federal Highway Trust Fund—empty – 60 Years of success at Stenstrom – Capital Improvements in Clinton, Iowa
Read moreThe Monitor – Spring/Summer 2014
May 20th, 2014
Key Articles: – TFIC Proposes IL Infrastructure Plan – No IA Gas Tax Increase In 25 Years – Responsibility Reigns in Joliet, IL
Read moreThe Monitor – Fall/Winter 2013
October 20th, 2013
Key Articles: – The Illiana: A Driving Economic Force – Infrastructure Spending Overdue – RTW Law Violates IN Constitution – Langman: Rock Island Union Pride
Read moreThe Monitor – Spring/Summer 2013
May 20th, 2013
Key Article: – The Benefits of Fracking – IDOT: Preparing For the Future – Infrastructure Wins Big in Indy – LaPorte County Acts Responsibly
Read moreThe Monitor – Winter 2012
December 20th, 2012
Key Articles: – MFT, MVT, Oil Royalties! Oh, my! – Gov’t intrusion on IN businesses – Davis-Bacon—apply to your project?
Read moreThe Monitor – Fall 2012
October 20th, 2012
Key Articles: – The American Waterworks Act – Long Team Infrastructure Investment – Getting to Know Michael Mauro – Burlington, IA: Newest Railroad Bridge
Read moreThe Monitor – Summer 2012
July 20th, 2012
Key Articles: – MAP-21 Gets Bi-Partisan Support – Getting To Know Mike Staebell – Hodgkins Park District Values PLA – N-Trak—A Dream Come True
Read moreThe Monitor – Spring 2012
March 20th, 2012
Key Articles: – Costs of Employee Misclassification – Illiana Expressway—IL, perspective
Read moreThe Monitor – Winter 2011
December 20th, 2011
Key Articles: – When private entities become public – The importance of RBOs – Understanding Wage Determinations
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