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.
Brandon dumps more onto Chicago taxpayers
Brandon dumps more onto Chicago taxpayers
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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.
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.
$1 million a day X 600 years to fill Illinois pension hole
$1 million a day X 600 years to fill Illinois pension hole
Illinois has the highest pension debt per capita. Even if the state spent an extra $1 million a day, your distant descendants would still be paying in 2600.
Nearly 30,000 Chicago teachers are caught in pension trap
Nearly 30,000 Chicago teachers are caught in pension trap
Half of retired Chicago pensioners make more than average working Illinoisans, but nearly 30,000 teachers won’t be eligible for more than a contribution refund.
Vallas: Chicago needs education reform to curb youth violence epidemic
Vallas: Chicago needs education reform to curb youth violence epidemic
Fixing Chicago’s schools is the surest way to stop youth violence. Softening education standards will perpetuate the harm.
Scholarships mean bright future for Chicago teen as electrician
Scholarships mean bright future for Chicago teen as electrician
Chicago Public Schools couldn’t give a teen the right education, but scholarships did. Now state leaders can OK a federal program to help every Illinois student.