COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas

By Bryce Hill

02/08/2022

The nation recovered 85% of the jobs lost to the COVID-19 downturn, but only one metro area in Illinois beat the U.S. average. The Chicago area only recovered 64% of its jobs. Bloomington was one of just 11 U.S. areas to lose jobs last year.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, jobs

Illinois public school enrollment continues to drop

By Amy Korte

02/08/2022

Frustrated with COVID-19 disruptions and remote learning, more Illinois parents are pursing non-public school options.

TAGS: enrollment, Illinois, public schools

Illinois lawmakers file bill to save school choice program for low-income kids, families

By Amy Korte, Hannah Schmid

02/08/2022

Roughly half of the low-income students benefitting from Illinois’ tax credit scholarships are minorities, and about 26,000 students are waiting for a chance at a private school that better fits their needs. State lawmakers are working on a permanent fix.

TAGS: Illinois, Invest in Kids, school choice

California, Connecticut drop mask mandates as Pritzker fights to keep control

By Dylan Sharkey

02/08/2022

Gov. J.B Pritzker is appealing a state court ruling striking down Illinois’ mask mandate in schools. His appeal and his 24th emergency declaration come as California and Connecticut join a growing list of states loosening their restrictions.

Chicago’s $43,100 debt per taxpayer driven by pension debt

By Justin Carlson

02/08/2022

Fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting again gave an ‘F’ grade to Chicago, thanks to high debt driven by unsustainable pension costs. Fixing the problem will take amending the Illinois Constitution.

TAGS: Chicago, debt, pensions

Illinois is only big state to charge a tax on groceries

By Dylan Sharkey

02/08/2022

Illinois is one of the few states that taxes groceries. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is suggesting a suspension of the 1% grocery tax to help struggling families. Some lawmakers said if Pritzker really wants to help, he needs to end grocery sales taxes.

TAGS: grocery tax, JB Pritzker

Delaware, New Jersey governors lift mask mandates

By Patrick Andriesen

02/07/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he is “hopeful” Illinois could soon drop statewide pandemic protocols after COVID-19 dropped by half. His peers in Delaware, New Jersey and earlier Iowa dropped their mask mandates.

TAGS: COVID-19, Delaware, mask mandate, New Jersey

Chicago property taxes nearly doubled in a decade

By Orphe Divounguy

02/03/2022

Chicago property taxpayers face a nearly 5% hike this year after a decade in which their bills nearly doubled. The city failed to capitalize on the COVID-19 stimulus windfall like others did.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes

Lightfoot vaccine deadline could trigger city worker firings

By Patrick Andriesen

02/03/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot pledged unvaccinated city employees will soon be placed on “no-pay status” and face potential termination for failing to comply with her COVID-19 ultimatum. City lists 550 firefighters as unvaccinated.

TAGS: Lori Lightfoot, vaccine mandate

Chicagoans owe $43,100 each to settle city debt

By Patrick Andriesen

02/02/2022

A financial watchdog report estimated each taxpayer in Chicago would need to pay $43,100 to settle the city’s debt. It stands at No. 2 for big U.S. cities. Blame city leaders for repeatedly making pension debt worse.

TAGS: Chicago, debt

Chicago

COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas

Illinois public school enrollment continues to drop

Illinois lawmakers file bill to save school choice program for low-income kids, families

California, Connecticut drop mask mandates as Pritzker fights to keep control

Chicago’s $43,100 debt per taxpayer driven by pension debt

Illinois is only big state to charge a tax on groceries

Delaware, New Jersey governors lift mask mandates

Chicago property taxes nearly doubled in a decade

Lightfoot vaccine deadline could trigger city worker firings

Chicagoans owe $43,100 each to settle city debt

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