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Rod Blagojevich sues so he can again seek election

By Noah Shaar

08/04/2021

Rod Blagojevich is out of federal prison, and now wants to be back on the ballot. Illinois’ former governor sued Aug. 2 for the right to run for public office again despite his conviction for public corruption.

TAGS: corruption, Illinois, Rod Blagojevich

Pritzker mandates masks for Illinois schools

By Brad Weisenstein

08/04/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a statewide mask mandate for Illinois schools, overriding local school boards.

Illinois gasoline taxes rise to No. 2 in nation

By Noah Shaar

08/03/2021

Illinois drivers now pay the second-highest taxes on their gasoline in the nation, a new survey found. Before the state doubled the gas tax, Illinois ranked much lower.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

Masks back on for all schools, most Illinoisans, public health leaders recommend

By Noah Shaar

08/02/2021

Illinois public health administrators joined the CDC’s calls for masks in all elementary and high schools, although school districts have the final say. They recommend most Illinoisans, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, should be masking in indoor public spaces.

TAGS: IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, masks, public schools

Chicago almost hits bottom rank of 150 cities for high cost, poor services

By Luke Schafer

07/30/2021

Out of 150 cities, Chicago came in almost at the bottom when the quality of city services and the total budget per capita were ranked, confirming what most Chicagoans already knew.

TAGS: Chicago, government spending, taxes

Fact check: Pritzker claims balanced budgets; state reports show he’s wrong

By Adam Schuster, Luke Schafer

07/30/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he achieved a balanced budget each year he has been in office. Not true, according to official state comptroller financial reports. Illinois budgets have been in the red for 21 years in a row.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, pensions

Pritzker emergency No. 19 comes almost 2 months after Illinois’ full reopening

By Patrick Andriesen

07/30/2021

Gov. J.B Pritzker extended his own emergency powers and Illinois’ disaster zone status through Aug. 21, claiming they were necessary to promote state vaccination efforts. When asked when he would give up his emergency powers, Pritzker wouldn’t say.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker

How to file a Freedom of Information Act request in Illinois

07/29/2021

Watching government and how taxes are spent isn’t always a simple process, but a useful tool helps obtain records to see the inner workings of schools, cities and state agencies: the Illinois Freedom of Information Act

TAGS: FOIA: Freedom of Information Act

Everything you need to know about Illinois unemployment

By Brad Weisenstein

07/29/2021

The Illinois Department of Employment Security was ill-prepared to handle record numbers of unemployed workers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, was slow to distribute federal help, exposed Illinoisans' private information, then lefts thousands on hold awaiting answers. Here's the latest.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, jobs, labor, taxes, unemployment

State unemployment fraud could cost Illinoisans more than $1 billion

By Patrick Andriesen

07/28/2021

A recent report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security revealed the state lost at least $14.8 million to fraudsters during the pandemic. But experts warn the full extent of state fraud could be closer to $1 billion.

TAGS: fraud, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Competitive elections raise voter participation, uncontested elections hinder democracy

On average, more than 4.7 million voting-age Illinoisans live in districts where there was only one option for the state House on the ballot, undermining their representation. Roughly half of all Illinois House races were uncontested under Illinois’ gerrymandered 2011 district map.

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