Illinois indoor vaping ban starts on New Year’s Day
Illinois indoor vaping ban starts on New Year’s Day
Illinois’ New Year’s resolution starts with banning vaping indoors, and $100 fines for anyone who violates the law.
1 in 5 Illinois adults is illiterate, but it’s 1 in 4 in Cook County
1 in 5 Illinois adults is illiterate, but it’s 1 in 4 in Cook County
Research shows income and adult literacy are strongly related. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics show 20% of Illinois adults are “functionally illiterate.” Cook County’s rate is 25%.
2024: An Illinois New Year
2024: An Illinois New Year
Illinois makes it tough for poor to become barbers, makeup artists, manicurists
Illinois makes it tough for poor to become barbers, makeup artists, manicurists
Personal care services such as cutting hair can be one of the more welcoming professions for those stuck in poverty. But Illinois imposes a heavy burden before they can get to work.
Chicago Teachers Union sees plenty of scandals in 2023
Chicago Teachers Union sees plenty of scandals in 2023
The Chicago Teachers Union and its president – Stacy Davis Gates – have offered lots of controversy this year. Their lack of accountability and politicking have consequences: residents suffer, students can’t read or do math at grade level.
Too much occupational licensing could stop people from moving to Illinois
Too much occupational licensing could stop people from moving to Illinois
Illinois has seen continual population loss for a decade. While taxes and lack of opportunities are driving people away, the state’s licensing requirements could be keeping people from moving in.
Illinois’ occupational licenses make it easier for holiday burglars
Illinois’ occupational licenses make it easier for holiday burglars
Illinois’ burdensome licensing for security alarm installers discourage potential workers, potentially making Illinois an easier target for burglars such as the Grinch or the Wet Bandits from “Home Alone.”
Most Illinois metro areas add jobs in November, four await pandemic recovery
Most Illinois metro areas add jobs in November, four await pandemic recovery
Nearly two-thirds of Illinois’ metro areas added jobs in November, led primarily by the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro adding 10,300 jobs since October. Four metros still have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.
Former Harvey mayor accused of bribery from strip club in prostitution operation
Former Harvey mayor accused of bribery from strip club in prostitution operation
The former mayor of Harvey, Illinois, has been accused of allowing a local strip club to covertly provide illegal prostitution services in return for monthly bribes to the city leader and family members.
Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke Makes Illinois corruption naughty list
Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke Makes Illinois corruption naughty list
Chicago’s longest-serving alderman, the “ComEd Four” and a collection of public servants in some of the highest-profile corruption cases in decades.
Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%
Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%
Sales taxes up to 11.5% will greet some Cook County shoppers this holiday season. Illinois averages 8.82% in sales taxes statewide, slightly more than last year and the seventh highest nationwide.
Home Alone: Illinoisans are vanishing
Home Alone: Illinoisans are vanishing
Illinois has highest ‘Home Alone’ age in nation
Illinois has highest ‘Home Alone’ age in nation
Leaving a child under 14 home alone in Illinois is illegal. That’s the highest age of any state, with only three other states making that parental decision a matter of state law.
‘This Christmas’ your gift from Chicago is 9% tax, even if ‘Home Alone’
‘This Christmas’ your gift from Chicago is 9% tax, even if ‘Home Alone’
Streaming holiday movies or music? Chicago taxes it as the same rate as enjoying the same thing in person. The 9% amusement tax has included streaming services since 2015.