Pritzker closes indoor dining throughout Illinois starting Nov. 4

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

Pritzker gas tax to help fund $205.5M ‘exit to nowhere’

10/25/2019

Gov. J.B. Pritzker just bumped up funding for road construction to a non-existent airport to $205.5 million, paid in part with his doubled gas tax. The airport remains a distant idea, but the road will soon be concrete.

TAGS: airport, gas tax, JB Pritzker, Peotone, taxes

Peotone airport gains in new state budget, but history shows taxpayers lose

09/27/2019

Funding for a third Chicagoland airport was included in the latest state budget. The controversial plan brings a risk for more corruption and overspending that will cost taxpayers millions.

TAGS: airport, budget, JB Pritzker, Peotone, taxes

Doubled gas tax creates losers in Illinois, winners across state lines

By Brad Weisenstein

08/21/2019

Station owners said Illinois businesses were damaged July 1 when the gasoline tax doubled. Tax increases are keeping Illinois pumps quiet and cooling cigarette sales.

TAGS: gas tax, minimum wage, taxes

Illinois House bill would let state lawmakers ‘opt out’ of receiving annual raises

By Vincent Caruso

07/29/2019

A proposal in the Illinois House would allow lawmakers to forgo their annual cost-of-living increase in base salary. The move comes after former lawmakers sued for back pay.

Cook County judge rules Illinois lawmakers cannot reject their own pay raises

By Vincent Caruso

07/11/2019

A circuit court judge sided with two former Illinois state lawmakers suing the state for back pay on past cost-of-living increases the Illinois General Assembly voted to freeze.

TAGS: lawmaker pay, Michael Noland

Illinois gas tax doubles in time for record holiday traffic

By Bryce Hill

07/01/2019

Travelers filling up in Illinois will pay a 19-cent premium for the privilege of buying gas in the Prairie State.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker, taxes

Illinois House bill would close judicial elections loophole

02/14/2019

A legal tactic intended to make it easier for Illinois judges to stay on the bench is under fire. An Illinois House bill aims to close the loophole, which four southwestern Illinois judges used in bids to dilute voters’ power.

TAGS: Charlie Meier, John Baricevic, Lloyd Cueto, Robert Haida, Robert LeChien

If Illinois hikes gas tax, expect more drivers to buy across state lines

By Brad Weisenstein

01/14/2019

Illinois already taxes 20 cents more per gallon of gasoline than Missouri. If state lawmakers add another 30 cents per gallon, expect an exodus of southwestern Illinois drivers buying gas and more in St. Louis.

TAGS: gas tax, property taxes, St. Clair County

Southwestern Illinois home to 340 pension millionaires

By Brad Weisenstein

12/21/2018

A former Edwardsville university administrator and a retired judge each have collected more than $3 million in pension payments. Too little paid in with too much taken out is the heart of Illinois’ pension crisis.

TAGS: higher education, pension guarantee, pensions, SERS: State Employee Retirement System, SURS: State Universities Retirement System

Belleville

Pritzker closes indoor dining throughout Illinois starting Nov. 4

Pritzker gas tax to help fund $205.5M ‘exit to nowhere’

Peotone airport gains in new state budget, but history shows taxpayers lose

Doubled gas tax creates losers in Illinois, winners across state lines

Illinois House bill would let state lawmakers ‘opt out’ of receiving annual raises

Cook County judge rules Illinois lawmakers cannot reject their own pay raises

Illinois gas tax doubles in time for record holiday traffic

Illinois House bill would close judicial elections loophole

If Illinois hikes gas tax, expect more drivers to buy across state lines

Southwestern Illinois home to 340 pension millionaires

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