Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced his re-election bid with a campaign pledge that everyone at the state median income and below “ought to get to be able to go to college for free.” But there’s a big gulf between the “ought to” of a campaign promise and the Illinois reality.

During the past two decades, Illinois has steadily spent less on higher education funding each year. Take Harper College in Palatine as an example: The school received $8.1 million from the state in 2002, and just $7.5 million in fiscal year 2019. When funding is adjusted for inflation, that means the state is sending 35% less to students now than it used to.

Illinois marijuana sales will grow 80 percent to $1.8 billion this year, far outpacing the industry, cannabis research firm BDSA predicts.

The forecast includes medical and recreational weed, which got a big boost at the beginning of the year as more marijuana license holders opened additional dispensaries authorized by state law. Recreational marijuana sales in Illinois totaled $121.9 million in August, up from $88.8 million in January, according to state figures. July, fueled by holidays and Lollapalooza, was the strongest month at $127.8 million.

If you have ideas on how the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) should be spending state money on public education, October is your chance to weigh in.

ISBE is inviting everyone to give their input on fiscal year 2923 state funding for public education.

Cases of COVID-19 in children from Illinois are trending in the right direction.

It’s the second week in a row where cases have fallen.