Illinois

Gay Marriage, Good Business: A Financial Argument for Equality

Arguments in favor of gay marriage are typically centered on ideas of justice. But there's also a strong financial case to be made for giving gay and lesbian couples marriage equality, and that case is winning support from major business leaders.

The 5 Best-Run and 5 Worst-Run States in America

Each year, 24/7 Wall St. conducts an extensive survey of all 50 states, reviewing a raft of data on financial health, living standards, government services and more to determine how well each one is managed. So which states do the best -- and the worst -- at the business of government? Read on...

Save Your Thanksgiving from Bad Weather, Bad Food, Big Business

Thanksgiving might not feel like the most appetizing time to start thinking about the safety and health of the food supply. But maybe out harvest festival is the perfect time to consider it -- and to consider what it would cost to give your family a kinder, healthier Thanksgiving Day feast.

Don't Call Them 'Extreme': Meet the Coupon Enthusiasts

Extreme couponers are still essentially a fringe group, but the Great Recession has given rise to a savvy new breed of mainstream shoppers who've finely honed the art of couponing. Here are a few of their stories.

The 10 Worst States to Retire In: They're Frosty and Costly

TopRetirements.com has named the 10 worst states in which to retire based in factors such as taxes and climate. Every retirement is unique, but before you end up living out your golden years chilly and underfunded, check out this list.

The 10 States With the Most Trouble Paying Their Bills

Balancing the budget isn't just a federal problem -- it's a state one, too. The Great Recession resulted in some of the lowest state revenues in years, and some of the biggest budget shortfalls ever -- in some cases, into the billions of dollars.

Highest U.S. Underemployment Rates: Illinois, California and Michigan

Unemployment has been slipping, according to a new U.S. Labor Department report Friday. But what about underemployment? According to a new Gallup poll released Friday, national underemployment averaged 19% last year, and Illinois, California and Michigan had the highest rates.

Presidential Escape: Who Bought Obama's Ford Hybrid?

The recent winning bidder for a low-mileage 2008 Ford Escape hybrid may have gotten more than he or she bargained for -- especially if it's dark gray in color. It seems that matches the description of the vehicle President Barack Obama drove prior to his bid to become president of the United States.