Pritzker keeps mask mandates for schools indefinitely

By Amy Korte

02/09/2022

The governor’s maintenance of statewide school mask mandates without benchmarks for their removal makes Illinois an outlier.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, mask mandate, public schools

Pritzker extends indoor mask mandate through Feb. 28, keeps students masked

By Patrick Andriesen

02/09/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is keeping Illinois’ indoor mask mandate in place through Feb. 28. Schools statewide will be required to keep students and staff masked.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, mask mandate

How Illinois schools are using $7.9B in COVID-19 aid

By Justin Carlson

02/09/2022

Illinois has already distributed billions in federal COVID-19 relief funds for education to school districts. The pandemic windfall should be used to help lagging students, not create programs requiring new taxes.

TAGS: COVID-19, education spending, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, Illinois

$14B in federal COVID-19 stimulus propped up Illinois’ budget

By Dylan Sharkey

02/09/2022

Despite claims Illinois’ budget was “balanced,” a closer look shows federal stimulus money propped it up. Only long-term reform on pensions, taxes, health care and school district consolidation can balance state finances and end 21 years of deficits.

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, federal aid, JB Pritzker

COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas

By Bryce Hill

02/08/2022

The nation recovered 85% of the jobs lost to the COVID-19 downturn, but only one metro area in Illinois beat the U.S. average. The Chicago area only recovered 64% of its jobs. Bloomington was one of just 11 U.S. areas to lose jobs last year.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, jobs

Delaware, New Jersey governors lift mask mandates

By Patrick Andriesen

02/07/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he is “hopeful” Illinois could soon drop statewide pandemic protocols after COVID-19 dropped by half. His peers in Delaware, New Jersey and earlier Iowa dropped their mask mandates.

TAGS: COVID-19, Delaware, mask mandate, New Jersey

Iowa governor ends emergency powers

By Patrick Andriesen

02/04/2022

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said after two years of COVID-19 mitigations and a sharp decline in rates, she believes Iowans will make the safe choices without laws forcing them. Pritzker does not share that confidence in Illinoisans.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, Iowa, restrictions

Illinois jobs recovery worst in Midwest, 8th-worst in nation

By Bryce Hill

02/04/2022

With 251,900 jobs still missing since the pandemic began, Illinois’ job market is the least recovered among Midwestern states

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, jobs

Black Illinoisans still hurt most by COVID-19 job losses despite strong 2021

By Bryce Hill

02/02/2022

Nearly 17% of the jobs held by Black Illinoisans prior to the COVID-19 pandemic are still missing, nearly triple the loss of white Illinoisans.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, race gap, unemployment

If Illinois uses COVID-19 funds for operations, expect financial pitfall

By Patrick Andriesen

01/31/2022

A think tank advised Illinois leaders not to use temporary federal COVID-19 relief aid for on-going programs. It would lead to future funding shortfalls.

TAGS: American Rescue Plan, COVID-19, Illinois

COVID-19

Pritzker keeps mask mandates for schools indefinitely

Pritzker extends indoor mask mandate through Feb. 28, keeps students masked

How Illinois schools are using $7.9B in COVID-19 aid

$14B in federal COVID-19 stimulus propped up Illinois’ budget

COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas

Delaware, New Jersey governors lift mask mandates

Iowa governor ends emergency powers

Illinois jobs recovery worst in Midwest, 8th-worst in nation

Black Illinoisans still hurt most by COVID-19 job losses despite strong 2021

If Illinois uses COVID-19 funds for operations, expect financial pitfall

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students