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.
11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year
11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year
This Thanksgiving, Illinoisans should give thanks for Illinois’ heritage, opportunities, wins against new taxes and educational freedom.
Chicago streaming tax adds 10% to NFL Thanksgiving costs
Chicago streaming tax adds 10% to NFL Thanksgiving costs
Streaming Thanksgiving football comes with extra costs just for living in Chicago. The city adds 10% to streaming prices through a local amusement tax.
Federal aid feeds over 1M Illinois families this Thanksgiving
Federal aid feeds over 1M Illinois families this Thanksgiving
Over 1 million Illinois families will put turkey on the table this Thanksgiving with the help of federal food assistance.
Final Thanksgiving with statewide grocery tax, but your town?
Final Thanksgiving with statewide grocery tax, but your town?
Illinois families are preparing their final Thanksgiving dinner with the state’s 1% grocery tax. But will your municipality bring the tax back starting Jan. 1?
Illinois House speaker gets $40M sports complex for alma mater
Illinois House speaker gets $40M sports complex for alma mater
Backroom deals produced lots of pork in the state budget, including a $40-million sports complex at the Illinois House speaker’s alma mater.
Small businesses create all Cook County jobs since 2020
Small businesses create all Cook County jobs since 2020
Chicagoans have even more to be thankful for on Small Business Saturday: small businesses created all Cook County’s net new jobs since the pandemic.