Rockford close to zoning reforms to increase housing

By Jessica Rehberg, Lilly Rossi

07/23/2026

The proposed amendments would allow greater housing density, eliminate garage mandates and reduce approval hurdles for new developments.

Illinois Federation of Teachers: 7 things the union doesn’t want teachers to know

By Mailee Smith

07/23/2026

IFT represents educators in more than 200 districts across Illinois. But teachers’ zip codes dictate how much support they actually get from the union.

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Drivers have less than 2 weeks to weigh in on endless toll hikes, years of congestion

By Shaw Carlson

07/22/2026

Illinois drivers have only a short window to comment on a $26.5 billion capital plan that includes the largest passenger tollway hike in state history.

Combating fare evasion could help lagging CTA ridership

By Ravi Mishra

07/17/2026

Fare evasion leads to lower revenue and higher crime. Two cities have found a way to fight it.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

Falling birth rates could worsen Illinois’ declining public school enrollment 

By Rich Witzel

07/17/2026

Illinois public schools are teaching fewer students compared to a decade ago, yet taxpayers continue funding a system built for more students.

Kirk Moses: Building stronger communities with work and beautification

By LyLena Estabine

07/16/2026

Moses works as a block club leader in South Shore, cleaning up the community and helping people find work. He believes it’s up to the community to care for itself.

Toll and sales tax hikes: What Pritzker said vs. what Pritzker did

By Rich Witzel

07/16/2026

The governor said Illinoisans wouldn’t be interested in a toll increase to keep the Bears. Then he signaled support for what would be the largest passenger toll hike in state history.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Why an Illinois home costs almost $100,000 more than it did before COVID

By Katie Crain

07/15/2026

The state’s housing prices soar as its supply of homes for sale remains far behind the nation’s.

Chicago Teachers Union likes Brandon Johnson’s tax on sites like LinkedIn, TikTok

By Lilly Rossi

07/14/2026

The social media tax in the city’s 2026 budget already faces a lawsuit.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois teacher pensions 7th-worst funded in U.S.

By Jessica Rehberg

07/14/2026

Despite record high contributions from the state, the Teachers’ Retirement System has less than 50 cents on hand for every dollar owed.

Chicago

Rockford close to zoning reforms to increase housing

Illinois Federation of Teachers: 7 things the union doesn’t want teachers to know

Drivers have less than 2 weeks to weigh in on endless toll hikes, years of congestion

Combating fare evasion could help lagging CTA ridership

Falling birth rates could worsen Illinois’ declining public school enrollment

Kirk Moses: Building stronger communities with work and beautification

Toll and sales tax hikes: What Pritzker said vs. what Pritzker did

Why an Illinois home costs almost $100,000 more than it did before COVID

Chicago Teachers Union likes Brandon Johnson’s tax on sites like LinkedIn, TikTok

Illinois teacher pensions 7th-worst funded in U.S.

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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