Chicago business activity skid hits two years
Chicago business activity skid hits two years
A barometer of business health shows Chicago’s decline worsened in November 2025.
Brandon on Stacy’s Leash: How Chicago Works
Brandon on Stacy’s Leash: How Chicago Works
$1B, unneeded tax hike coming to a tollway near you?
$1B, unneeded tax hike coming to a tollway near you?
Chicago-area drivers could end up paying $1 billion more in tolls each year as part of a deal state lawmakers admitted was made to get labor union support.
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Former Illinois House Speaker Madigan asks President Trump for pardon
Former Illinois House Speaker Madigan asks President Trump for pardon
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is asking President Donald Trump to pardon him. Good luck with that.
Illinois alone lets state pension debt top $100B
Illinois alone lets state pension debt top $100B
Illinois’ $143.5 billion state pension debt saw a tiny dip, but meaningful reform is needed to stop threats to taxpayers and protect state retirees.
Transit sales tax hike makes suburbs pay for Chicago problems
Transit sales tax hike makes suburbs pay for Chicago problems
Chicago-area transit riders deserve safe, reliable service. But the Regional Transportation Authority board might soon ask the wrong people to pay for it.
Norvax, CVS lead layoffs as Illinois loses 1,192 jobs
Norvax, CVS lead layoffs as Illinois loses 1,192 jobs
Illinois’ saw 1,192 mass layoffs in November. Norvax and CVS Health/Oak Street accounted for most of the job losses announced.
Brandon dumps more onto Chicago taxpayers
Brandon dumps more onto Chicago taxpayers
Chicago Teachers Union protests trash fee hike while its president skips hers
Chicago Teachers Union protests trash fee hike while its president skips hers
The Chicago Teachers Union is grumbling about a proposed garbage fee hike. Yet union President Stacy Davis Gates has repeatedly failed to pay her own trash bill.
Over 292K Illinoisans remain jobless despite 318K jobs
Over 292K Illinoisans remain jobless despite 318K jobs
Despite 318,000 job openings, Illinois’ unemployment remained above national average in the latest economic measures.
Illinois lawmakers push retirement tax to keep spending more
Illinois lawmakers push retirement tax to keep spending more
As state lawmakers look to plug budget holes by removing limits on state income tax rates, Illinois’ spending is set to continue breaking records.
Handing out money without work fails, but Illinois trying it again
Handing out money without work fails, but Illinois trying it again
A 2024 study showed handing people money they hadn’t worked for hurt them, but Illinois lawmakers are putting $827,272 in tax dollars behind the idea again.
How well are your local third graders reading?
How well are your local third graders reading?
Illinois lowered its standards in 2025, but over half of third graders still couldn’t read at grade level. It’s a critical milestone. See how your students did.