Jeremiah Griffin
Jeremiah Griffin
“I want to tell my story so that kids that deal with learning disabilities or people telling them, ‘They can’t be something,’ feel like they can be something, and they don’t listen to the negativity.”
Illinois payrolls stagnant, unemployment rate 35% higher than U.S. average
Illinois payrolls stagnant, unemployment rate 35% higher than U.S. average
Illinois’ non-farm payrolls only added 2,500 jobs from mid-July to mid-August. Unemployment was steadily high as the rest of the nation recovered.
Illinois misses deadline to repay $4.2 billion federal unemployment insurance loan
Illinois misses deadline to repay $4.2 billion federal unemployment insurance loan
Illinois missed the September deadline to repay a $4.2 billion federal unemployment loan. Employers warn inaction by state lawmakers could ‘cripple’ businesses and the COVID-19 economic recovery.
2 things Waukegan can do to nurture students’ futures
2 things Waukegan can do to nurture students’ futures
With rising costs and sinking test scores, school district efficiency and pension reform provide ways to put more money into Waukegan classrooms and improve student achievement.
Rockford sees public pensions eat nearly 40% of municipal property taxes
Rockford sees public pensions eat nearly 40% of municipal property taxes
Public pensions are growing and taking a greater share of property taxes, hurting public services. Still, the average Rockford household owes over $35,000 in state and local pension debt.
Illinois lawmakers ask if school mask mandate discipline went too far
Illinois lawmakers ask if school mask mandate discipline went too far
The Illinois State Board of Education might have overstepped its authority by yanking recognition of schools that defied a statewide mask mandate. State lawmakers have asked the board to clarify those rules.
Some Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment only
Some Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment only
Nearly a year and a half after IDES closed job centers statewide, the unemployment agency began reopening offices for in-person assistance. So far 13 offices have reopened, with only one in Chicago.
Nearly two-thirds of Peoria property taxes consumed by pensions
Nearly two-thirds of Peoria property taxes consumed by pensions
The average Peoria household owns nearly $38,000 in state and local pension debt.
COVID-19 vaccination proof might be required to dine out in Chicago
COVID-19 vaccination proof might be required to dine out in Chicago
A group of Chicago aldermen have called for residents to prove their COVID-19 vaccination status before allowing them to attend indoor venues such as restaurants, bars and theaters
Pritzker’s gas tax squeeze
Pritzker’s gas tax squeeze
Pritzker asked what COVID-19 measure will let Illinoisans ditch masks
Pritzker asked what COVID-19 measure will let Illinoisans ditch masks
A state lawmaker has asked Gov. J.B. Pritzker for the metrics needed to drop statewide mask mandates. He also called for public hearings on masking harms to student development, others in Illinois.
Ep. 3: Illinois budget fact check with Adam Schuster
Ep. 3: Illinois budget fact check with Adam Schuster
Guest: Adam Schuster
Everything you need to know about Illinois unemployment
Everything you need to know about Illinois unemployment
The Illinois Department of Employment Security was ill-prepared to handle record numbers of unemployed workers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, was slow to distribute federal help, exposed Illinoisans' private information, then lefts thousands on hold awaiting answers. Here's the latest.
Chicago Park District ‘reform’ bill puts pension costs on taxpayers
Chicago Park District ‘reform’ bill puts pension costs on taxpayers
House Bill 417 falls far short of the structural reforms Illinois pension systems require. A constitutional amendment is needed after courts blocked a real reform effort in 2018.