Tracy Smith
Tracy Smith
"The tax credit scholarship allowed my children to continue their education, but it also allowed me the opportunity to continue to put what I could back into the system."
Pritzker follows CDC rules on masks, relaxes COVID-19 mandates
Pritzker follows CDC rules on masks, relaxes COVID-19 mandates
Illinois is following new CDC guidelines on masks and social distancing for fully vaccinated people; Pritzker pushes vaccinations, says masks stay on for unvaccinated; Chicago mandates remain
Bill would allow Chicago Public Schools principals to go on strike
Bill would allow Chicago Public Schools principals to go on strike
A bill that passed the Illinois House and is now in the Senate would allow Chicago principals to unionize and strike, creating an even more unstable environment for the city’s school children.
Nearly all Illinois counties lost population in 2020
Nearly all Illinois counties lost population in 2020
Census estimates tallied population decline in 98 of Illinois’ 102 counties. Only Los Angeles County lost more people than Cook County last year.
Illinois gas averages $3.25 a gallon even after pipeline resumes operation
Illinois gas averages $3.25 a gallon even after pipeline resumes operation
The Colonial Pipeline shutdown set off a gasoline price increase, but summer travel demand and pricier summer blends are likely to keep them there. Illinois averages $3.25 per gallon, AAA reports.
Illinoisans worked 113 days to pay all their taxes, but more may be coming
Illinoisans worked 113 days to pay all their taxes, but more may be coming
Tax Day comes with new threats for Illinois taxpayers, who worked longer than residents in 44 other states to pay their taxes this year.
Free Six Flags tickets offered for COVID-19 shots in Illinois
Free Six Flags tickets offered for COVID-19 shots in Illinois
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a donation of $4 million in Six Flags tickets will be used as an incentive to get more Illinoisans their COVID-19 vaccinations. The 50,000 tickets will be targeted to minority communities.
Illinois is home to most seriously delinquent mortgages in Midwest
Illinois is home to most seriously delinquent mortgages in Midwest
Data reveals 5.7% of Illinois homeowners are at least 90 days behind on their payments.
Pritzker agrees with CDC on dropping masks for vaccinated Illinoisans
Pritzker agrees with CDC on dropping masks for vaccinated Illinoisans
The CDC just revised the mask mandates for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot quickly followed the advice.
Illinois lawmakers introduce bill to save scholarships for low-income Illinois families
Illinois lawmakers introduce bill to save scholarships for low-income Illinois families
House Bill 4076 would make the Invest In Kids Act permanent. The Invest in Kids Act provides a tax credit of 75 cents for every $1 donated to qualified scholarship granting institutions, up to a maximum of $1 million dollars. It’s currently set to expire in 2022.
Nursing shortage during COVID-19 argues for multi-state licenses in Illinois
Nursing shortage during COVID-19 argues for multi-state licenses in Illinois
Multi-state nursing licenses would help Illinois with long-term senior care, help nurses cross state lines to fight a pandemic and help Illinois face a coming nursing shortage.
79,000 more Illinoisans are in poverty because state can’t fix its culture of corruption
79,000 more Illinoisans are in poverty because state can’t fix its culture of corruption
If Illinois could have reduced corruption to the national average, an estimated 79,000 fewer people would be living in poverty, according to an analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute. State lawmakers can help by passing ethics reforms.
Free beer with your COVID-19 shot is aim of Illinois lawmakers
Free beer with your COVID-19 shot is aim of Illinois lawmakers
There is no such thing as free beer in Illinois, which is why state lawmakers are considering allowing one mug or another alcoholic beverage as a reward for getting a COVID-19 shot. State lawmakers have no plans to pick up the tab.
What you need to know about Pritzker’s next set of COVID-19 rules
What you need to know about Pritzker’s next set of COVID-19 rules
Illinois is about to reach the extra COVID-19 reopening phase Gov. J.B. Pritzker added in March. Here are the rules of the ‘Bridge’ phase expected to begin May 14 and last until June 11.