California considers misleading labor amendment modeled after Illinois’ Amendment 1

By Mailee Smith

06/13/2023

Illinois labor leaders claimed their push to enshrine public union supremacy in the Illinois Constitution was the “blueprint” for other states. Now both California and Pennsylvania are following Illinois’ lead.

TAGS: Amendment 1

Chicago households making $100K targeted by Brandon Johnson allies

By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson

06/06/2023

An ominously titled document by close confidants of new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson states the new administration’s top priority is to take more money from households making $100,000 or more to fund what they claim is a “just Chicago.”

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

04/06/2023

No other state’s constitution or labor laws are like Illinois’ – broadly allowing government unions to override statutes simply by negotiating contrary provisions into collective bargaining agreements. Illinois may not be alone for long.

Cook County population decline, outmigration 2nd-worst in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

03/30/2023

94,344 residents moved out of Cook County, the sole reason for 2022 population decline.

TAGS: Cook County, population, U.S. Census Bureau

‘Ballot selfies’ are a felony in Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

03/23/2023

Voters wanting to show their Election Day pride should be careful. Sharing a voting-booth selfie on social media is a felony in Illinois.

TAGS: Chicago, election

3 years after COVID-19 hit, Pritzker declares 40th emergency order

By Dylan Sharkey

03/08/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared COVID-19 a disaster in Illinois for the 40th time. Illinois is 1 of only 6 states still using COVID-19 to declare a public health emergency.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Big batteries to store renewable energy create fire hazard

By Dylan Sharkey

02/14/2023

As Illinois pushes for more renewable energy, it comes with a fire hazard risk at battery storage centers. A battery storage facility explosion in Arizona hurt eight firefighters. There have been three other fires.

Pritzker issues 39th emergency order as 43 states end covid policies

By Dylan Sharkey

02/08/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker intends to extend his COVID-19 emergency powers until May 11. Illinois is 1 of only 7 states still claiming disaster status as a result of COVID-19.

TAGS: emergency powers, JB Pritzker

Pritzker to end Illinois’ emergency orders after more than 3 years

By Dylan Sharkey

01/31/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he will follow President Biden and end Illinois’ disaster declarations on May 11. Most states long ago quit using emergency powers, leaving Illinois as 1 of 7 states still claiming COVID-19 is a public health emergency.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker

Pritzker fact check: Illinoisans pay 4th-highest college tuition in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

01/24/2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is making free college a priority in his second term. Tuition is driven up by pension costs, which Pritzker routinely ignores.

TAGS: college tuition, JB Pritzker

California

California considers misleading labor amendment modeled after Illinois’ Amendment 1

Chicago households making $100K targeted by Brandon Johnson allies

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

Cook County population decline, outmigration 2nd-worst in U.S.

‘Ballot selfies’ are a felony in Illinois

3 years after COVID-19 hit, Pritzker declares 40th emergency order

Big batteries to store renewable energy create fire hazard

Pritzker issues 39th emergency order as 43 states end covid policies

Pritzker to end Illinois’ emergency orders after more than 3 years

Pritzker fact check: Illinoisans pay 4th-highest college tuition in nation

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