How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois

By Joe Tabor, Aimee Morrissey

08/11/2022

Illinois can draw from other states’ experiences to solve its own gerrymandering problem. One solid solution is as close as Michigan.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, Illinois

Fact check: Illinois marijuana revenue $600M below potential

By Dylan Sharkey

07/27/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is touting how much marijuana revenue Illinois received in 2021. But high taxes and regulatory blunders have kept Illinois weed between $200 million and $600 million shy of its potential.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, legalization, marijuana, taxes

Illinois’ half-baked marijuana legalization costs state $600M

By Adam Schuster

04/20/2022

A complex system of high taxes and restrictive licensing undermines the goals of marijuana legalization proponents – leaving $600 million in potential revenue uncollected while helping the illegal drug trade.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, marijuana, taxes

Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

By Bryce Hill

01/14/2022

Illinoisans fled at a record pace in 2021. The state lost 122,460 residents on net because of moves to other states.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population

Cook County businesses should require vax proof or COVID-19 test

By Dylan Sharkey

12/17/2021

Cook County businesses should be checking for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test before letting anyone in their doors, the health department has declared.

TAGS: Cook County, COVID-19, vaccine mandate

Pritzker emergency No. 23 comes as Colorado drops masks

By Dylan Sharkey

12/14/2021

Illinois is far from finished with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s statewide COVID-19 mandates, but another Democratic governor just said the emergency is over and the state shouldn’t be making people wear masks anymore.

TAGS: Colorado, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks

Masks off by holidays? Pritzker likely taking back his ‘gift’

By Patrick Andriesen

12/03/2021

New COVID-19 cases have surged across Illinois, leading some state leaders to question why the only state east of the Mississippi with a universal mask mandate is seeing worse case rates than those without a mandate.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

By Adam Schuster

08/24/2021

Classrooms First Act would benefit virtually all Illinoisans including teachers, parents and students.

Illinois’ state budget practices earn poor marks from fiscal watchdog

By Justin Carlson

07/15/2021

A Volcker Alliance report on truth and integrity in state budgeting finds Illinois lacking. Debt, budget gimmicks and thin reserve funds gave the state poor marks.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker

Former Illinois Senate president returns to lobby for utility on energy bill

By Brad Weisenstein

06/09/2021

The former president of the Illinois Senate is now a lobbyist for a power utility. Illinois needs stronger rules on when their peers can return to sway state lawmakers.

TAGS: John Cullerton, lobbying, revolving door

Colorado

How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois

Fact check: Illinois marijuana revenue $600M below potential

Illinois’ half-baked marijuana legalization costs state $600M

Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

Cook County businesses should require vax proof or COVID-19 test

Pritzker emergency No. 23 comes as Colorado drops masks

Masks off by holidays? Pritzker likely taking back his ‘gift’

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

Illinois’ state budget practices earn poor marks from fiscal watchdog

Former Illinois Senate president returns to lobby for utility on energy bill

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