Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Business

Business A new book co-edited by U. of I. finance professor Jeffrey R. Brown examines the profound effect the financial shocks of the last decade had on higher education.

New book explores Great Recession’s impact on higher education

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No sector of the economy was left unscathed in the aftermath of the Great Recession, which officially lasted from December 2007 to June 2009 but whose aftereffects continue to linger today. Higher education was no exception, and a new book co-edited by a University of Illinois expert in economic policy delves into […]

Expert viewpoints Elizabeth Powers

The child care dilemma for working families

With dual-earner families increasingly becoming the norm, President Obama trumpeted the importance of “universal child care” in his State of the Union address – a pivot from previous years, when he advocated for universal pre-kindergarten. Elizabeth Powers is a professor of economics and a faculty member of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at […]

Business Clocking extra hours at the office while juggling family demands takes a toll on the body mass index of individuals in dual-earner families, says a new study co-written by Amit Kramer, a University of Illinois labor and employment relations professor.

Changes in work, family demands affect body mass index of dual-income earners

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A study co-written by a University of Illinois labor and employment relations professor shows that clocking extra hours at the office while juggling family demands takes a toll on the body mass index of individuals in dual-earner families. According to new research co-written by Amit Kramer, an increase in the work or […]

Business The taxation of retirement income, an expansion of the sales tax base and an increase in the cost of health insurance benefits for state employees loom over the Illinois budgetary horizon as potential quick fixes for the revenue-strapped state, says Richard L. Kaplan, the Peer and Sarah Pedersen Professor of Law at Illinois.

Tax changes loom for state of Illinois ahead of budget address, expert says

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – As Gov. Bruce Rauner readies his first budget address, expect him to propose changes that could have major consequences for certain demographics, a University of Illinois expert on taxation issues says. According to law professor Richard L. Kaplan, three issues – the taxation of retirement income, an expansion of the sales tax […]

Business

U. of I. Flash Index starts off strong in 2015

The U. of I. Flash Index rose to 106.8 in January from its 106.5 level in December. The Illinois economy continues to improve as we enter 2015. This month builds on almost three years of slow and steady growth in which the index remained well above 100, the dividing line between growth and decline. “The […]

Expert viewpoints Walter W. McMahon

Is the underfunding of higher ed pricing students out?

Walter W. McMahon, a professor emeritus of economics and of educational organization and leadership at the University of Illinois, is the author of “Higher Learning, Greater Good: The Private & Social Benefits of Higher Education.” An expert on the economics of education, McMahon spoke with News Bureau business and law editor Phil Ciciora about higher […]

Business Consumers bear the cost of "credential creep," says David Hyman, the H. Ross and Helen Workman Chair in Law at Illinois.

Expert: Pervasive ‘credential creep’ bad for health care practitioners, consumers

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The outcome of a case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court last fall could potentially slow the trend of the ever-increasing number of occupations subject to state licensing, says a University of Illinois expert in the regulation and financing of health care. According to David Hyman, the H. Ross and Helen Workman […]

Business Medical malpractice reform has had relatively little impact on the U.S. health care system, says David Hyman, the H. Ross and Helen Workman Chair in Law and professor of medicine at Illinois.

Research: Medical malpractice reform does little to contain health care costs

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Two papers co-authored by a University of Illinois expert in the regulation and financing of health care conclude that tort reform has had relatively little impact on the U.S. health care system. Tort reform advocates have hailed caps on noneconomic damages as a silver bullet for controlling health care costs – as […]

Business It's increasingly important for educators to understand how mobile technology such as touch-screen tablets can enhance learning instead of being classroom distractions, says Dilip Chhajed, a professor of business administration at Illinois and co-author of new research from a team of University of Illinois experts in business and e-learning.

Research: Tablet computers good medium for educational materials

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Despite being more commonly thought of as a device designed for the passive consumption of content, touch-screen tablet computers can support the learning process when used in an educational setting – and not just as a mere e-reader or laptop replacement, according to new research from a team of University of Illinois […]

Business The depreciation of organizational knowledge can mute the effects of a company's quality performance initiatives, says research co-written by Anupam Agrawal, a professor of business administration at Illinois.

Research: ‘Organizational forgetting’ erodes quality gains in supply chains

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Just like physical assets, a company’s organizational knowledge can depreciate over time. According to a paper co-authored by a University of Illinois expert in supply chain management, “organizational depreciation” can mute the effects of a company’s quality performance initiatives, suggesting that mitigating those effects is essential to sustaining and enhancing quality performance […]

Expert viewpoints Don Fullerton

The economic effects of falling crude oil prices

Don Fullerton, an expert on finance and energy policy, spoke with News Bureau business and law editor Phil Ciciora about crude oil prices and what they might mean for the economy. Fullerton is a Gutgsell Professor of Finance and associate director of the U. of I. Institute of Government and Public Affairs. He also is a former deputy assistant secretary of […]

Expert viewpoints Brenna Ellison

Will newly required calorie info on menus affect your choices?

The Food and Drug Administration announced in late November that it had finalized two rules requiring the listing of caloric information on menus at chain restaurants, vending machines and retail food establishments. The rules, which will take effect in one year, are a little-known provision of the 2010 Affordable Care Act and will offer consumers […]

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