What you need to know about new Illinois laws taking effect in 2023
What you need to know about new Illinois laws taking effect in 2023
New laws signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker are set to impact education, public safety, agriculture and labor
Report: Illinois government ethics complaints hit new record in 2022
Report: Illinois government ethics complaints hit new record in 2022
Illinois’ Executive Inspector General reported a record number of complaints, some alleging financial mismanagement and conflicts of interest.
Illinois ranks least tax-friendly state for middle-class families, 2nd-worst for retirees
Illinois ranks least tax-friendly state for middle-class families, 2nd-worst for retirees
Tax friendliness reports ranked Illinois as the most expensive for middle-class families and second most expensive for retirees. Analysts cited high property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes as cinching the bottom spots.
DCFS held kids in hospitals for months beyond doctors’ orders
DCFS held kids in hospitals for months beyond doctors’ orders
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services held kids in psychiatric hospitals for far longer than needed because the agency couldn’t find them housing.
3 things you need to know about latest SAFE-T Act changes
3 things you need to know about latest SAFE-T Act changes
Lawmakers are set to consider an amendment to the controversial criminal justice reform law set to take effect on Jan. 1. Here are three things Illinoisans should know about the proposed changes.
Report: 40% of Illinois small businesses behind on November rent
Report: 40% of Illinois small businesses behind on November rent
A new survey found Illinois reported the third-highest increase in small business rent delinquency nationwide during November, with 40% of respondents unable to pay rent on time or in full.
Bipartisan plan to pay off $1B deficit spares Illinois businesses from tax hike
Bipartisan plan to pay off $1B deficit spares Illinois businesses from tax hike
More taxes on businesses and reductions in unemployment benefits were looming as a recession approached, but no longer. Lawmakers agreed to replenish Illinois’ unemployment insurance trust fund and avoid those pitfalls.
Illinois labor board says government unions cannot discriminate against nonmembers
Illinois labor board says government unions cannot discriminate against nonmembers
Illinois government unions wrote the law that gives them a monopoly over all government employees in a unionized workplace. And that means they can’t discriminate against workers who choose not to be members.
CTU allies push to end school choice program for low-income Illinois students
CTU allies push to end school choice program for low-income Illinois students
A government union-backed group is pushing parents to ask state lawmakers to kill tax credit scholarships serving the state’s most vulnerable students. Other parents are trying to make the program permanent. Here’s why opponents need to fail.
Ep. 62: Why you should run for school board in Illinois
Ep. 62: Why you should run for school board in Illinois
The consolidated election will give voters a chance to elect their local school board members, who influence spending on property tax bills and make other important decisions regarding education. While the election isn’t until April 4, 2023, petitions to run for school board are due Dec. 19. Director of Labor Policy Mailee Smith explains why...
Thanksgiving hangover: Who ate all the leftovers?
Thanksgiving hangover: Who ate all the leftovers?
Illinois unemployment highest in U.S. for 2nd month
Illinois unemployment highest in U.S. for 2nd month
Illinois only added 3,600 jobs in October, a drastic drop in job growth coming amid persistent inflation and rising recession fears. Unemployment led the nation.
State lawmakers debate delaying New Year’s Day gas tax hike
State lawmakers debate delaying New Year’s Day gas tax hike
A bill in Springfield proposes delaying the Jan. 1 state gas tax hike. If it fails, drivers will see two gas tax hikes in 2023, expected to take the tax to over 45 cents a gallon.
Illinois holiday shoppers pay highest sales taxes in Midwest
Illinois holiday shoppers pay highest sales taxes in Midwest
Retailers should expect a record number of holiday shoppers this weekend. Shoppers in Illinois will get hit with some of the nation’s highest sales taxes.