Chicago area shows highest rent increase among top 10 metros

By Grace Hansen

07/30/2026

Year-over-year rents rose in Illinois while falling nationwide. Champaign-Urbana posted the country’s fourth-highest increase.

Illinois Federation of Teachers educators aren’t getting what they’re paying for

By Mailee Smith

07/29/2026

The majority of IFT’s spending is not on representing teachers, according to its own reports. Teachers can opt out of the union during August.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Sales tax increase to pay for CTA, Metra, Pace problems

By Lilly Rossi

07/29/2026

A sales tax increase for the Regional Transportation Authority, soon to replaced by the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, takes effect Aug. 1.

Who should pay for new sports stadiums?

By Lilly Rossi

07/28/2026

As teams in Chicago and elsewhere pursue new venues and entertainment districts, lawmakers face renewed questions about public financing.

Illinois sales taxes near top in U.S.

By Adam Gorcyca

07/28/2026

Chicago will have one of the highest big-city rates in the country when the transit tax inches up Aug. 1.

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.

Chicago

Chicago area shows highest rent increase among top 10 metros

Illinois Federation of Teachers educators aren’t getting what they’re paying for

Sales tax increase to pay for CTA, Metra, Pace problems

Who should pay for new sports stadiums?

Illinois sales taxes near top in U.S.

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

7 things to know about public charter school laws in Illinois

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