Shampoo bottles, telehealth, property taxes in over 275 new Illinois laws
Shampoo bottles, telehealth, property taxes in over 275 new Illinois laws
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed over 275 bills into law recently. Here is what you need to know about changes to taxes, hotel shampoo, light bulbs and virtual health care.
By Joe Tabor
First nationwide school choice bill passes U.S. House committee
First nationwide school choice bill passes U.S. House committee
The Educational Choice for Children Act of 2024 becomes the first nationwide school choice bill to pass out of committee in U.S. history. Now it goes to the U.S. House floor, giving hope to Illinois families denied the option by state lawmakers.
By Hannah Schmid
Telehealth expands in Illinois for dental, physical therapy patients
Telehealth expands in Illinois for dental, physical therapy patients
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed laws expanding remote access to dental care and physical therapy, but the state could do more to remove barriers to health care access for patients.
By Joe Tabor
Illinois bans fluorescent lighting starting in 2026
Illinois bans fluorescent lighting starting in 2026
Starting in 2026, you won’t be buying any compact fluorescent light bulbs to replace that burned out one in Illinois. Tubes go away in 2027. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is banning the same light bulbs Illinois’ former senator and president championed 15 years ago.
By Dylan Sharkey
What dates should I know this election?
What dates should I know this election?
There are a lot of important dates and deadlines for voters surrounding Election Day. Here's what you need to know before and after Nov. 5.
Illinois sales taxes 7th highest in U.S.
Illinois sales taxes 7th highest in U.S.
Illinois’ combined state and average local sales tax is the seventh highest in the nation. It is the highest among the most populous states.
By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg
Here’s what to know about Chicago’s 31 school board candidates
Here’s what to know about Chicago’s 31 school board candidates
Chicago voters will pick from 31 candidates for 10 school board seats. The Chicago Teachers Union is trying to expand its political power by pushing a candidate in each of the 10 districts.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago Teachers Union hasn’t released ‘annual’ audit for 4 years
Chicago Teachers Union hasn’t released ‘annual’ audit for 4 years
The Chicago Teachers Union’s internal rules require it to release an audit to members each year. It hasn’t done so since Sept. 9, 2020.
By Mailee Smith
Shenita Muse
Shenita Muse
Shenita Muse leads the Hope Center Foundation, which is leading an effort to fix Chicago’s gridlocked housing market in some of the city’s most needy areas. “Reclaiming Communities” is an initiative to build or rehab 2,000 homes on the city’s South Side and West Side. The homes will then be sold to residents who have...
Chicago Teachers Union: Don’t tell parents their student’s pronouns
Chicago Teachers Union: Don’t tell parents their student’s pronouns
The Chicago Teachers Union’s leaders want teachers to keep parents in the dark if their child asks to go by a different name or pronouns in school. The school district is OK with that.
By Dylan Sharkey
4 new occupational licensing laws remove barriers in Illinois
4 new occupational licensing laws remove barriers in Illinois
Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently OK’d four new laws that would expand the ability for professionals to practice in Illinois. While they are advancements, Illinois’ onerous occupational licensing system needs comprehensive reform.
By Joe Tabor