Editorial: Illinois public schools lose 127,000 students since pandemic

By Hilary Gowins

05/28/2024

As public school enrollment continues to drop, Illinois faces the prospect of a smaller future workforce.

Report: How Illinois can give parents more choice within public school system

By Hannah Schmid

05/28/2024

Illinois has limited charter school options or open enrollment policies. Lawmakers should expand public school choice options in Illinois to give families more control over their children’s education.

2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax

By Patrick Andriesen

05/27/2024

The typical racing fan will pay an extra $22 for general admission to Chicago’s NASCAR “Street Race Weekend” thanks to the city’s amusement tax. Luxury seating could cost residents more than the price of a standard ticket in taxes alone.

TAGS: Chicago, NASCAR, taxes

Chicago crime: Assaults up 6.7% past 12 months, more violent

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

05/24/2024

Assaults were up 6.7% for the 12 months ending in April as confrontations became more violent. Black Chicagoans were more than 5 times more likely to be assault victims than their white counterparts.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

05/23/2024

Illinois grew jobs in eight of its 13 metropolitan areas during April, but the Chicago area’s sluggish growth and a stubbornly high unemployment rate tempered any gains.

TAGS: jobs, metro areas, unemployment

Vallas: It’s time for a Chicago nuisance ordinance

By Paul Vallas

05/23/2024

Whether college protest encampments or political convention agitators, Chicago needs a way to penalize the few who disrupt life for the rest of us. A nuisance ordinance would do that.

Chicago police officer’s murder underscores carjacking, car theft surge

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

05/23/2024

Chicagoans reported 2,619 fewer vehicle thefts during the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, but cases remain more than double what they were just a few years ago as arrests remain low. One carjacking took a police officer’s life.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients

By Dylan Sharkey

05/17/2024

The Illinois Senate approved legislation banning four food additives, sending it to the House. Manufacturers will need to sell an alternate recipe in Illinois if the bill becomes law.

Did neighbors leave your town last year?

By Brad Weisenstein

05/16/2024

Illinois continued to lose population last year, with people leaving 75% of the communities in the state. But what about your town? Did it lose or gain, and by how much?

TAGS: outmigration, population

3 in 4 Illinois communities lost population in 2023

By Ravi Mishra

05/16/2024

Chicago lost the most, but communities across Illinois lost population in 2023. Three-fourths of the cities and towns lost people.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Chicago

Editorial: Illinois public schools lose 127,000 students since pandemic

Report: How Illinois can give parents more choice within public school system

2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax

Chicago crime: Assaults up 6.7% past 12 months, more violent

Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April

Vallas: It’s time for a Chicago nuisance ordinance

Chicago police officer’s murder underscores carjacking, car theft surge

Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients

Did neighbors leave your town last year?

3 in 4 Illinois communities lost population in 2023

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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