Federal scholarship could help rural Illinois students find education options

By Hannah Schmid

09/19/2025

A new federal scholarship tax credit program could be a lifeline to students in rural Illinois. They may have limited educational options, but the federal money could boost those options through tutoring or other services if Gov. J.B. Pritzker allows it.

Congressional Democratic leader wants Illinois to super-gerrymander maps

By Dylan Sharkey, Jerry Barmore

09/18/2025

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wants Illinois state lawmakers to redraw congressional district maps to offset Republican gains from mid-decade remapping in Texas. Illinois lawmakers aren’t eager to do it.

Chicago Ald. Quinn pushing ‘decoy’ ordinance to block granny flats

By LyLena Estabine

09/18/2025

Ald. Marty Quinn’s proposed ordinance would restrict additional dwelling units in Chicago to just 20% of the city and add costly labor mandates. It also boosts each alderman’s power over what Chicagoans can do with their own homes.

Peoria Heights mayor vetoes grocery tax as Chicago considers it

By Brad Weisenstein

09/16/2025

Peoria Heights’ mayor vetoed a grocery tax, saying the village would not balance its budget on the backs of families at the grocery checkout. Now Chicago is considering taking $73.5 million through the tax.

TAGS: Chicago, grocery tax, taxes

Chicago could add 8,000 granny flats by following Los Angeles’ lead

By LyLena Estabine

09/15/2025

Legalizing additional dwelling units citywide would bring more housing choices, lower costs and help Chicagoans stay in the neighborhoods they love.

Tinley Park teachers union may strike Sept. 22

By Lilly Rossi

09/12/2025

District 146 Educators Council has voted to authorize a strike. If an agreement is not reached, teachers in Tinley Park could strike as soon as Sept. 22.

TAGS: teachers union

Food aid feeds almost 2M statewide in May, 1-in-3 in southern counties

By Lauren Zuar

09/12/2025

Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dropped by 3.2% in May. Still, nearly 2 million Illinoisans relied on federal food aid, with participation rates exceeding 30% in some Southern Illinois counties.

1,065 Illinoisans laid off in August, with 276 at Diverse Facility Solutions

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

09/10/2025

Illinois companies announced 1,065 mass layoffs in August. Minority-owned Diverse Facility Solutions, headquartered in Alsip, Illinois, and two other janitorial services companies accounted for nearly half of the jobs lost.

Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union sets Sept. 18 strike date

By Lilly Rossi

09/10/2025

Teachers in the 10th-largest school district in Illinois may be on the picket lines instead of in classrooms with students on Sept. 18. Romeoville and Bolingbrook teachers are paid more than the state average but are pushing for more.

TAGS: teachers union

Chicago pensions carry more debt than 44 states

By LyLena Estabine

09/09/2025

Chicago’s pension systems carry over $53 billion in debt, leaving taxpayers with rising bills and no reform in sight.

Chicago

Federal scholarship could help rural Illinois students find education options

Congressional Democratic leader wants Illinois to super-gerrymander maps

Chicago Ald. Quinn pushing ‘decoy’ ordinance to block granny flats

Peoria Heights mayor vetoes grocery tax as Chicago considers it

Chicago could add 8,000 granny flats by following Los Angeles’ lead

Tinley Park teachers union may strike Sept. 22

Food aid feeds almost 2M statewide in May, 1-in-3 in southern counties

1,065 Illinoisans laid off in August, with 276 at Diverse Facility Solutions

Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union sets Sept. 18 strike date

Chicago pensions carry more debt than 44 states

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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