Illinois gasoline taxes 2nd highest in nation
Illinois gasoline taxes 2nd highest in nation
Illinoisans pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation at more than $0.84 per gallon. Only California charges its drivers more.
International migrants boost Illinois, New York, California populations, but don’t expect them to stay
International migrants boost Illinois, New York, California populations, but don’t expect them to stay
Illinois and other states with sanctuary cities saw large influxes of international migrants in recent years. But historical data shows the new arrivals may soon move out for the same reasons other residents have.
Pritzker’s miracle
Pritzker’s miracle
Pritzker’s magic beans: Growing a record-setting $55B Illinois budget
Pritzker’s magic beans: Growing a record-setting $55B Illinois budget
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker invoked a fairy tale about magic beans and a giant during his annual state of the state and budget address. Too bad he forgot to take an ax to the giant, record-setting budget he has grown by $16.7 billion since taking office.
Food assistance need grows 12% in Illinois since 2019
Food assistance need grows 12% in Illinois since 2019
Nearly 2 million Illinoisans, with around half in Cook County, relied on federal food assistance in October 2024, marking a 12% increase in five years.
Rockford declared hottest housing market in U.S., but low supply is real story
Rockford declared hottest housing market in U.S., but low supply is real story
Rockford recently made headlines as the nation’s hottest housing market, but the real story is low supply is driving up prices. Changing zoning laws could spur development that would ease the shortage and prices.
State lawmakers want to spike Illinois’ public pension benefits by $60B
State lawmakers want to spike Illinois’ public pension benefits by $60B
Pension experts projected state lawmakers’ plans to drastically expand benefits for newer employees would add $60 billion to the state’s pension liability. Illinois is already $143.7 billion in the pension hole.
Illinois Democrats again attack parents’ rights to choose best education for their children
Illinois Democrats again attack parents’ rights to choose best education for their children
Democratic state lawmakers are making another attack on parents’ rights and educational choice in Illinois. A bill would require homeschooling parents to file annual reports to avoid truancy charges, be credentialed and have their curriculum reviewed.
Pritzker at 50% approval ahead of Illinois budget address
Pritzker at 50% approval ahead of Illinois budget address
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s favorability is at exactly 50% ahead of his annual budget address, a chance to win over the 46% of voters with an unfavorable opinion of him. But based on his history of aggressive spending and taxation, what are the odds?
Keith Bass
Keith Bass
Keith Bass was part of the launch of Co-LLAB, a year-old entrepreneurship training hub which is part of the Male Mogul Initiative. Based in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, it is a haven for job training, creativity and engagement in a community too often known for disinvestment. “We’ve been ramping up our screen printing orders, but we...
Gov. Pritzker hints no tax hikes or pension benefit spikes in 2026 state budget
Gov. Pritzker hints no tax hikes or pension benefit spikes in 2026 state budget
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said raising taxes or hiking pension benefits are not first choices for in his fiscal year 2026 budget. The governor said Illinois needs to “live within our means in this state.”
Bill introduced to again try for progressive income tax in Illinois
Bill introduced to again try for progressive income tax in Illinois
The Illinois Constitution currently requires income taxes to be imposed at a single, flat rate. A new bill filed in the Illinois General Assembly would allow for income to be taxed at varying rates, making it easier for lawmakers to raise rates.
Spend $93K per student and what happens? None can read at grade level.
Spend $93K per student and what happens? None can read at grade level.
Not a single 11th-grade student was proficient in reading or math in 2023-2024 at Douglass Academy High School. The near-empty school has the highest per-student spending in Chicago Public Schools.
Felon Madigan should repay taxpayers nearly $600K for public pension
Felon Madigan should repay taxpayers nearly $600K for public pension
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan was convicted of misusing his public office for his own power and profit. Not only should his public pension be halted, he should repay the nearly $600,000 taxpayers already paid the felon.