How to vote in your April 1 election
How to vote in your April 1 election
Groceries, schools and public safety are all affected by local elections taking place April 1. Here’s what to know.
Illinois craft distillers face tough future without changes to liquor law
Illinois craft distillers face tough future without changes to liquor law
Liquor regulations written at the end of Prohibition are strangling Illinois’ craft distillers. A new bill is trying to change that.
Report: Illinoisans pay nation’s highest combined state, local taxes
Report: Illinoisans pay nation’s highest combined state, local taxes
Illinois families will pay the highest combined state and local tax burden in the nation this year on the median U.S. income. That’s $13,099, which will consume more than 16.5% of their money.
Illinois lawmakers attack parents’ constitutional rights
Illinois lawmakers attack parents’ constitutional rights
House Bill 2827 would require all Illinois private schools to report personal information about students to local and state authorities – a prime example of Illinois government overreach and an infringement of parents’ constitutional rights.
Shaunta Gray
Shaunta Gray
“I’m a realtor and a real estate appraiser, so I’ve seen how property taxes is a big issue. In 2021, I was appointed to be a school board member, and in 2023 I won an election to stay on the school board, so this is my first full term as an elected official.” “In that...
Illinois’ emergency reserves lowest in nation
Illinois’ emergency reserves lowest in nation
Illinois is dead last of the 50 states in its ability to handle a financial crisis. It couldn’t last a month. The rainy-day fund that should be its primary reserve, and that Gov. J.B. Pritzker lauded himself for refilling, could barely cover two weeks.
Pritzker’s $1.5B wish for cash quickly vanishes
Pritzker’s $1.5B wish for cash quickly vanishes
The latest forecast from the Illinois General Assembly estimates Illinois will have $737 million to $1.2 billion less in revenue than Gov. J.B. Pritzker hopes to spend.
Every 9 minutes, 21 seconds, Illinois loses another resident
Every 9 minutes, 21 seconds, Illinois loses another resident
Illinois continues to lose residents to other states. Another Illinoisan left every 9 minutes and 21 seconds from July 2023 to June 2024.
Parents would see what children are learning under school transparency bills
Parents would see what children are learning under school transparency bills
Illinois schools would be required to share curriculum materials with parents under a pair of bills in Springfield. State Rep. Amy Grant’s House Bill 3806 and state Sen. Andrew Chesney’s Senate Bill 2080 require school materials be made available to parents.
Chicago Teachers Union can strike after March 7
Chicago Teachers Union can strike after March 7
The Chicago Teachers Union entered a 30-day “cooling off” period following its rejection of a neutral fact-finder’s contract recommendations. The 30 days are up. The union can go on strike after March 7.
Pritzker pushes $13B pension benefit hike in his budget
Pritzker pushes $13B pension benefit hike in his budget
Newer state employees would get a $13 billion pension benefit boost if Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal passes. What should be a minor fix is being used to create an even bigger Illinois pension mess.
Chicago mayor adds 50 speed cameras to put $11.4M in his budget
Chicago mayor adds 50 speed cameras to put $11.4M in his budget
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to add 50 new speed cameras to city streets during the coming year to add $11.4 million from fines and fees to his deficit budget.
Half of states let cities declare bankruptcy. Here’s why Illinois might want to.
Half of states let cities declare bankruptcy. Here’s why Illinois might want to.
Illinois has some of the highest property taxes in the country. Chapter 9 would allow local governments to address the root cause.
How the April 1 elections can help fix Illinois’ property taxes
How the April 1 elections can help fix Illinois’ property taxes
More than 600,000 Illinoisans will have a chance to send a message to state leaders on the most daunting issues, including Illinois’ property taxes.