SAFE-T Act Year 1: Fewer Cook County defendants detained, downstate Illinois adjusts

By Joe Tabor, Patrick Andriesen

09/17/2024

Sept. 18 marks Illinois’ first anniversary of being the first state to end cash bail. The predicted disaster was averted. Cook County saw significant improvements. Still, changes to the SAFE-T Act could improve public safety, remain fair to defendants.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Chicago public schools keep masks in place as city, parochial schools end mandate

By Dylan Sharkey

02/24/2022

Chicago Public Schools’ Board of Education said vaccination rates have it keeping students and staff in masks Feb. 28 and beyond. Parents are asking what it will take to see classrooms without masks. More private schools are taking off masks.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, mask mandate

Illinois appellate court rejects Pritzker’s appeal to keep kids in masks

By Mailee Smith

02/18/2022

The appellate court ruling marks Pritzker’s second loss in cases challenging his mask mandate in schools.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, mask mandate, public schools

High school parents sue to block Pritzker COVID-19 vax mandates

By Patrick Andriesen

01/14/2022

Illinois parents of athletes sued to prevent school districts and state powers from mandating vaccinations for high school students. The lawsuit argues such an order would be arbitrary and violate students’ rights.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, vaccine mandate

Illinois teachers sue Pritzker over COVID-19 school mandates

By Patrick Andriesen

12/14/2021

A class-action lawsuit filed by 88 Illinois teachers seeks to block Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 mandates on shots, tests and vaccinations for school personnel.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks, teachers union

Sangamon County judge rules local governments can be open on Election Day

By Joe Tabor

10/19/2020

A section of a vote-by-mail bill passed earlier this year established Election Day 2020 as a state holiday. A judge ruled it did not apply to local governments.

TAGS: Election Day, public sector, Sangamon County

Illinois judge rules against Pritzker’s extension of stay-at-home order

By Joe Tabor

04/27/2020

The judge said Pritzker’s executive orders “shredded the constitution,” highlighting the need for the Illinois General Assembly to play a role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, JB Pritzker, stay at home order

Chicago to reach $38M settlement over red-light camera tickets

By John Kristof

07/20/2017

The proposed settlement would cost Chicago $38.75 million, with $26.75 being paid out in refunds and $12 million written off for those who never paid their tickets.

TAGS: Chicago, red light cameras

Illinois lawmakers can avoid a government shutdown and a bad budget deal by passing an appropriations measure

By Mailee Smith

02/02/2017

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is seeking a court order to stop paychecks to state employees. Many speculate she is trying to force the General Assembly into a budget deal – one that would be bad for Illinoisans. But the General Assembly doesn’t have to be bullied into a bad budget deal. It can pass an appropriations measure to fund state worker payrolls and keep government from shutting down.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, labor, Lisa Madigan, state worker pay

Judge upholds onerous Chicago food truck rules

By Hilary Gowins

12/05/2016

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Anna Helen Demacopoulos squelched a ray of hope for Chicago food trucks Dec. 5 as the court upheld two of the city’s most oppressive regulations. In recent weeks, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been coming after these small-business owners. But they’ve faced the city’s wrath for years, even after City Council...

TAGS: Chicago, food trucks, Institute for Justice

Circuit court

SAFE-T Act Year 1: Fewer Cook County defendants detained, downstate Illinois adjusts

Chicago public schools keep masks in place as city, parochial schools end mandate

Illinois appellate court rejects Pritzker’s appeal to keep kids in masks

High school parents sue to block Pritzker COVID-19 vax mandates

Illinois teachers sue Pritzker over COVID-19 school mandates

Sangamon County judge rules local governments can be open on Election Day

Illinois judge rules against Pritzker’s extension of stay-at-home order

Chicago to reach $38M settlement over red-light camera tickets

Illinois lawmakers can avoid a government shutdown and a bad budget deal by passing an appropriations measure

Judge upholds onerous Chicago food truck rules

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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