The 2025 tax season marks the debut of the state’s first-ever Child Tax Credit in Illinois, providing up to $300 for eligible families with at least one child under 12, while the Earned Income Tax Credit has been expanded to provide more money to more Illinoisans than ever before, and the new Direct File tool allows Illinoisans to file their taxes online directly with the IRS, completely free.
Business
Posted inBusiness
A loan shark in your pocket: Cellphone cash advance apps
Earned wage advances (EWA) are a predatory lending product that are growing in popularity, with 7 million Americans accessing approximately $22 billion in 2022, and the average transaction size is $106.
Posted inBusiness
Black retirees growing older and poorer: 2025 Social Security COLA lowest in 10 years
The Social Security COLA increase for 2025 will be 2.5%, but due to rising Medicare rates, retirees will receive a net gain of only $10.20, and the racial wealth gaps among retirees remain significant.
Posted inBusiness
National Business League’s 37Th Annual National Black Supplier Reception in Atlanta
The National Business League is hosting its 37th Annual National Black Supplier Reception on October 22, 2024, in Atlanta, featuring a networking event for Black suppliers, Fortune 500 corporations, and industry leaders.
Posted inBusiness
National Policy Alliance to Address the Future of Black America and Advocate for Public Policy
The National Policy Alliance is hosting their 2024 Annual Meeting and Conference to discuss the future of Black America and develop public policy impacting the African American community.
Posted inBusiness
Busey Wealth Management names new Director of Family Office
Abigail S. George has been appointed as Senior Vice President – Director of Family Office at Busey Wealth Management, where she will lead a team dedicated to providing personalized strategic solutions and advisor oversight to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families.
Posted inLifestyle
Embracing Merit-Based Hiring: The End of Tokenism in the Workplace
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices should focus on merit-based selections to create a more inclusive workforce, rather than relying on tokenism.
Posted inBusiness
DCEO celebrates National Black Business Month
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is celebrating National Black Business Month with virtual and in-person events, a social media campaign, and resources to support Black businesses and entrepreneurs.
Posted inBusiness
Growing numbers of side hustle jobs
52% of workers have taken on second jobs in the past three years due to rising costs of living, with most using the extra income to pay for housing, groceries, debt, and savings.
Posted inBusiness, National, NNPA Events
Booker T. Washington’s vision of Black business prosperity is rooted in the platform of the 124th Black Business Conference; Liberian President to address the assembly; and the revolution will be digitized
The National Black Business Conference is returning to Atlanta for its 124th edition, with a focus on the legacy of Booker T. Washington and the importance of business development and enterprise ownership for economic liberation, independence, and freedom.
