Pritzker pushes $13B pension benefit hike in his budget

By Bryce Hill

03/06/2025

Newer state employees would get a $13 billion pension benefit boost if Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal passes. What should be a minor fix is being used to create an even bigger Illinois pension mess.

TAGS: budget, Illinois, JB Pritzker

Mass layoffs hit 14.7K Illinoisans in 2024, most from business closures

By Patrick Andriesen

01/15/2025

State reports show 14,723 Illinoisans lost their jobs because of mass layoffs during 2024, with two-thirds resulting from business closures.

TAGS: Illinois, unemployment

VIDEO: What will keep Chicago’s 2024 Democratic National Convention from looking like 1968?

By Jess Plowman

08/07/2024

In an election year reminiscent of 1968, Chicagoans hope to avoid a repeat of history when the Democratic National Convention comes to town Aug. 19-22.

TAGS: Chicago, DNC: Democratic National Convention, Illinois

How much were property taxes in your Illinois county?

By Brad Weisenstein

08/01/2024

See how much the median property tax bill was in your county. See how it compared with other Illinois counties.

TAGS: Illinois, pensions, property taxes

How’s my community? Measures of how your piece of Illinois is doing

07/22/2024

Here are data snapshots of Illinois communities, schools and government. See how well your tax dollars are performing in your city, county or school compared to others.

TAGS: education, Illinois, taxes

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

By John Tillman

07/04/2024

Fourth of July? No. We should always call it Independence Day to remember what we celebrate and what it means.

TAGS: freedom, Illinois, Independence Day

Illinois population drops for 10th year in a row during 2023

By Bryce Hill

12/19/2023

People moving out of Illinois led to the 10th consecutive year of population decline, new Census Bureau data shows.

TAGS: Illinois, population, taxes

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

By John Tillman

07/04/2023

We too often call it the “Fourth of July” and lose sight of its true meaning – independence. Independence from tyranny and the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.

TAGS: freedom, Illinois, Independence Day

State retirees get nearly 40% more than what working Illinoisans earn

By Patrick Andriesen

02/01/2023

The typical career state worker collected $82,478 in annual pension benefits, recouping more income in 17 months of retirement than they contributed over 35 years. Working Illinoisans only earned $59,650 a year.

TAGS: Illinois, pensions

School Choice Week a reminder why Illinois families love the Invest in Kids Act

By Patrick Andriesen

01/26/2023

Thousands of parents, educators and organizations across the country renewed calls this week to expand school choice and give more options for students’ educations. But in Illinois, the state’s only school choice program is nearing its end.

TAGS: Illinois, Invest in Kids, School Choice Week