A sorry state: Illinois’ economy in 2017

By Orphe Divounguy

11/16/2016

Since the end of the recession, only 5 out of Illinois’ 13 metro areas – Carbondale-Marion, Chicago, Kankakee, Lake County-Kenosha County and Springfield – have recovered all the private-sector jobs lost from the Great Recession.

TAGS: economy, jobs, unemployment

Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

04/22/2016

Nearly 25 percent of Illinois school districts serve just one school, and over one-third of all school districts have fewer than 600 students.

Illinois brain drain symptom of a larger problem

By Scott Reeder

08/27/2015

As adults are migrating to states with better business climates, so too are new high school graduates.

Making Illinois smart on crime: First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

By Bryant Jackson-Green, Dianna Muldrow, Derek Cohen

08/06/2015

First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

Prison population growth driving Illinois’ corrections budget higher

By Bryant Jackson-Green

07/22/2015

Illinois’ prison budget grew $110 million over the last five years.

TAGS: budget, prison

Video of alleged sleeping cop highlights problems with Illinois’ new anti-recording law

By Bryant Jackson-Green

02/04/2015

The Illinois Supreme Court has made clear that the police don’t have a reasonable expectation of privacy when they’re on duty in public.

TAGS: anti-recording law, eavesdropping, police

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address

By illinoispolicy

02/04/2015

Gov. Bruce Rauner's State of the State Address. February 4, 2015

4 Illinois municipalities earn Sunshine award, multiple municipalities fail government transparency audit

By Brian Costin

11/19/2014

Wilmette is a fantastic example of a community going above and beyond to promote online transparency for citizens.

TAGS: good government, municipal government, Sunshine Award

The waste race: grants for entertainment in Illinois

By Benjamin VanMetre

12/11/2012

Ready for a weekend of entertainment? Start by cruising around a shopping festival on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Then get some exercise on the eco-friendly, customized ziplines built by Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour Inc. in Williamson County. If that’s not enough, hit the wrestling matches at the Dual Meet Nationals in Springfield. Won’t be able to...

Welfare abuse: As American as baseball, hotdogs and whoopie pies

08/23/2012

The national food stamp program was originally designed to provide nutritional foods for folks who can

Carbondale

A sorry state: Illinois’ economy in 2017

Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens

Illinois brain drain symptom of a larger problem

Making Illinois smart on crime: First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

Prison population growth driving Illinois’ corrections budget higher

Video of alleged sleeping cop highlights problems with Illinois’ new anti-recording law

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address

4 Illinois municipalities earn Sunshine award, multiple municipalities fail government transparency audit

The waste race: grants for entertainment in Illinois

Welfare abuse: As American as baseball, hotdogs and whoopie pies

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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