Illinois lawmakers hear testimony for marijuana legalization proposals

By Brendan Bakala

09/07/2017

Two bills to legalize marijuana currently sit in Springfield.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, Heather Steans, Kelly Cassidy, legalization, marijuana

Could this court be the future of criminal justice in Illinois?

By Austin Berg

08/04/2017

The Illinois Department of Corrections pays nearly $22,000 in direct costs per inmate.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, restorative justice

A taxpayer bill of rights would protect residents and encourage lawmakers to budget responsibly

By Madelyn Harwood

06/07/2017

Illinois needs a taxpayer bill of rights to urge policymakers to budget based on available revenue — or be prepared to subject tax increases to direct voter approval.

TAGS: housing, income tax, property taxes, sales tax, TABOR: Taxpayer Bill of Rights

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

By Madelyn Harwood

05/17/2017

By fixing cost drivers, decreasing the cost of doing business in Illinois, and easing the tax burden, Illinois can encourage jobs growth and stand a better chance at attracting and retaining younger people.

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

By Joe Tabor, Ted Dabrowski

01/04/2017

The little-known legislative rules that govern the legislative process in the Illinois House of Representatives give the House speaker extraordinary power to orchestrate the legislative or political outcomes he or she wants. Those rules allow the speaker to influence the makeup of legislative committees; how lawmakers vote; and when, if ever, the bills get voted...

Ex-offenders less likely to quit their jobs, no more likely to be fired than other employees

By Amy Korte

12/02/2016

Although a new study by Northwestern University researchers shows ex-offenders can make good hires, obstacles such as negligent-hiring liability hinder employers willing to give ex-offenders a chance.

TAGS: ban the box, criminal justice reform, expungement, record sealing, reentry

Illinois lost 80,000 millennials between 2011-2015

By Madelyn Harwood

11/22/2016

Millennial out-migration from the Land of Lincoln is worse than all its neighboring states.

TAGS: millennials, outmigration, U.S. Census Bureau

Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs

By Ben Ruddell, Bryant Jackson-Green

11/16/2016

Most people expect Illinois law enforcement to defend the private property of Illinois residents. As long as you obey the law, your life, liberty and property should be secure from the law – or so common sense would suggest. Yet, every year, Illinois law enforcement agencies take tens of millions of dollars in cash, vehicles,...

IRS migration data show wealth and youth are fleeing Illinois

By Michael Lucci

11/03/2016

Illinois’ 2011 income-tax hike caused out-migration that cost the state high-earning taxpayers. New IRS data show taxpayers who left had an average income of $77,000 per year, compared with taxpayers who entered Illinois, who had an average income of $57,000 per year.

TAGS: IRS: Internal Revenue Service, jobs, outmigration

Illinois 1 of 7 states where home values are still below pre-recession levels

11/02/2016

The state’s high-tax burden is not only hurting struggling taxpayers’ pockets, but is also depreciating home values across Illinois.

TAGS: property taxes, real estate

Colorado

Illinois lawmakers hear testimony for marijuana legalization proposals

Could this court be the future of criminal justice in Illinois?

A taxpayer bill of rights would protect residents and encourage lawmakers to budget responsibly

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

Ex-offenders less likely to quit their jobs, no more likely to be fired than other employees

Illinois lost 80,000 millennials between 2011-2015

Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs

IRS migration data show wealth and youth are fleeing Illinois

Illinois 1 of 7 states where home values are still below pre-recession levels

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