Pritzker demands answers from Madigan as more Illinois lawmakers seek resignation

By Ben Szalinski

11/20/2020

Madigan already had lost enough support to end his 35-year run as House speaker, but the gap continued to widen as Illinois’ governor added his rebuke.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, House Speaker, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Illinois

By Brad Weisenstein, Ben Szalinski

11/20/2020

This page will be updated daily to reflect developments related to the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois, JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot

Illinois loses 1,100 jobs in October, unemployment rate falls largely from workers giving up

By Bryce Hill

11/20/2020

Jobs data is giving the illusion of economic recovery in Illinois. The reality is 107,530 workers gave up their job searches, and new COVID-19 lockdowns can only hurt more workers.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, income tax, JB Pritzker, jobs, pensions, unemployment

Pension reform key to protecting Illinois services, taxpayers after ‘fair tax’ rejection

By Adam Schuster

11/12/2020

Asking Illinoisans to pay more in taxes to receive less in services has been the trend in state government for the past decade, driven by the ever-growing cost of Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension crisis.

TAGS: fair tax, JB Pritzker, pensions

Illinois sees largest increase in new unemployment claims in the nation

By Bryce Hill

11/09/2020

76,338 Illinoisans filed new unemployment claims during the week ending Oct. 31, up more than 23,000 from prior week.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, restrictions, unemployment

Pritzker renews push to end federal oversight of state hiring

By Ben Szalinski

11/06/2020

The federal court system has been watching Illinois for patronage hiring since 1972. There’s little evidence the problem is fixed.

TAGS: corruption, good government, JB Pritzker, Shakman decrees

Pritzker, other top Democrats want Madigan out as party leader

By Ben Szalinski

11/06/2020

On the heels of losing his signature “fair tax,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants House Speaker Mike Madigan out as the state Democratic leader. Both U.S. senators also make that call.

TAGS: corruption, fair tax, House Speaker, Illinois House of Representatives, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan

‘Fair tax’ backers concede, blaming ‘deceived’ voters for loss

By Brad Weisenstein

11/04/2020

Two-thirds of voters polled favored a “fair tax” in March. On Election Day that flipped to 55% opposing it. Voters understood how the amendment could usher in retirement and other taxes, but tax proponents found it easier to claim deceit.

TAGS: election, fair tax, JB Pritzker

Progressive income tax amendment heading for defeat

By Ben Szalinski

11/04/2020

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s push for his “fair tax” is headed for rejection by Illinois voters. State lawmakers now must face the public pension debt driving the state’s fiscal crisis.

TAGS: fair tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, Vote Yes for Fairness

Pritzker closes indoor dining throughout Illinois starting Nov. 4

By Joe Barnas

11/02/2020

All of Illinois will be under tighter restrictions starting Wednesday, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker imposing an indoor dining ban as his answer to the spread of COVID-19.

TAGS: COVID-19, executive order, JB Pritzker, restaurants