Over 1M Illinois families to get federal help with Thanksgiving
Over 1M Illinois families to get federal help with Thanksgiving
Over 1 million Illinois families will put turkey on the table this Thanksgiving with the help of federal food assistance, including more than half of the households in Pulaski and Alexander counties.
By Patrick Andriesen
Some Montgomery County residents see 1,400% property tax hike
Some Montgomery County residents see 1,400% property tax hike
Residents in Central Illinois are feeling sticker shock from exponential property tax growth. One woman’s $756 property tax bill is skyrocketing to $10,000 in one year.
By Dylan Sharkey
True Value bankruptcy creates half of 1,790 Illinois layoffs
True Value bankruptcy creates half of 1,790 Illinois layoffs
Nearly half of the Illinois job losses in October resulted from True Value Co. declaring bankruptcy. Chicago led the state for jobs lost.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago slashes 2,103 public safety jobs as it adds 184 administrators
Chicago slashes 2,103 public safety jobs as it adds 184 administrators
Chicago’s 2025 budget has a nearly $1 billion hole. Mayor Brandon Johnson has only proposed tax hikes. But when personnel eats over two-thirds of the budget, the city must be smart about freezes and cuts without making public safety even worse.
By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar
Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union’s school closing tall tale
Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union’s school closing tall tale
The Chicago Teachers Union wails about schools closing, but it is the union’s actions that have been solely responsible for past school closings and for the conditions that will lead to more closures in the future.
By Paul Vallas
What Illinois can learn from Florida’s emphasis on early literacy
What Illinois can learn from Florida’s emphasis on early literacy
Florida state lawmakers began mandating science-based literacy education in the early 2000s. It improved reading proficiency among early grades and cemented Florida as a leader in early literacy education. Illinois should do the same.
By Hannah Schmid
O’Hare one of worst airports for wait times ahead of Thanksgiving travel
O’Hare one of worst airports for wait times ahead of Thanksgiving travel
Chicago’s O’Hare Airport is one of the toughest for waiting in long lines, according to a study of the nation’s biggest airports. Motorists dealing with Illinois’ second-highest gas taxes won’t fare much better hitting the road.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois No. 3 for highest unemployment in October
Illinois No. 3 for highest unemployment in October
October job numbers for Illinois remained disappointing, with an unemployment rate that was third highest in the nation. There are 346,000 Illinoisans who need a job.
By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko
Chicago Teachers Union president paid over $269K but hides union financial records
Chicago Teachers Union president paid over $269K but hides union financial records
Public records show the Chicago Teachers Union and other union entities pay Stacy Davis Gates a very healthy salary. But union transparency ends there. CTU is refusing to show members how it spends their money, despite that mandate in CTU’s rules.
By Mailee Smith
Aggravated assaults hit 5-year high in Chicago during October
Aggravated assaults hit 5-year high in Chicago during October
Chicago’s violent crime hit the second-highest level in the past five years. Aggravated assaults increased the most during the past 12 months to hit a five-year peak. Most of the victims were Black.
By Patrick Andriesen
Vallas: Chicago Transit Authority is city’s 3rd budget crisis
Vallas: Chicago Transit Authority is city’s 3rd budget crisis
Chicago faces financial meltdowns on three fronts: the city budget, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Transit Authority. The CTA faces a $577 million deficit, but it can be fixed.
By Paul Vallas
Swipe twice? Only Illinois shoppers might face credit-card inconvenience, depending on lawsuit
Swipe twice? Only Illinois shoppers might face credit-card inconvenience, depending on lawsuit
How Illinoisans use their credit or debit cards could change depending on the result of a lawsuit over certain fees impacted by a new state law. Illinois shoppers may be the only ones in the nation forced to swipe twice for each purchase, or they might see a little savings.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pekin passes grocery tax, taking away $1M in savings for shoppers
Pekin passes grocery tax, taking away $1M in savings for shoppers
Pekin and Normal have joined the list of local governments passing ordinances to replace the 1% statewide grocery tax when it expires.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois needs responsible Tier 2 pension reform
Illinois needs responsible Tier 2 pension reform
Illinois is at risk of getting in costly trouble with the federal government over its Tier 2 public employee retirement benefits. Here’s a solution that doesn’t make the state’s monstrous public pension debt even worse.
By LyLena Estabine