Pritzker keeps mask mandates for schools indefinitely

By Amy Korte

02/09/2022

The governor’s maintenance of statewide school mask mandates without benchmarks for their removal makes Illinois an outlier.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, mask mandate, public schools

Pritzker extends indoor mask mandate through Feb. 28, keeps students masked

By Patrick Andriesen

02/09/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is keeping Illinois’ indoor mask mandate in place through Feb. 28. Schools statewide will be required to keep students and staff masked.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, mask mandate

California, Connecticut drop mask mandates as Pritzker fights to keep control

By Dylan Sharkey

02/08/2022

Gov. J.B Pritzker is appealing a state court ruling striking down Illinois’ mask mandate in schools. His appeal and his 24th emergency declaration come as California and Connecticut join a growing list of states loosening their restrictions.

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

Illinois among 20 states dragging down U.S. economic recovery

By Orphe Divounguy

12/03/2021

The pandemic caused the largest and shortest economic contraction in U.S. history. But as other states recovered, Illinois’ economy remained $17 billion below the pre-pandemic trend through the first half of 2021.

TAGS: COVID-19, economy, Illinois

Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families

By Patrick Andriesen

11/23/2021

Kiplinger report finds Illinois’ sales, income and property taxes on middle-income families rank among the highest in the nation, making prospective residents think twice about moving to the state.

TAGS: Illinois, middle class, taxes

Illinois’ financial condition worsens despite receiving billions in federal aid

By Justin Carlson

10/01/2021

A new report from watchdog Truth in Accounting shows each taxpayer’s share of state debt has nearly doubled since 2009 to $57,000 as total debt increased by $10 billion—mostly due to pension obligations.

TAGS: budget, debt, Illinois, Truth in Accounting

Illinois home building lags virtually every other state during past decade

By Bryce Hill

07/18/2021

New census data shows Illinois ranked 48th in the U.S. for new single-family home permits during the past decade.

TAGS: construction, homeownership, Illinois, real estate

Free Six Flags tickets offered for COVID-19 shots in Illinois

05/14/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a donation of $4 million in Six Flags tickets will be used as an incentive to get more Illinoisans their COVID-19 vaccinations. The 50,000 tickets will be targeted to minority communities.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, Six Flags, vaccine

Illinois ‘reopens’ June 11, but keep those masks on, Pritzker says

By Brad Weisenstein

05/07/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to keep those masks on Illinoisans, he said in announcing a June 11 target to reopen the state. The reopening ‘bridge’ phase he added in March may begin May 14.

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

Connecticut

Pritzker keeps mask mandates for schools indefinitely

Pritzker extends indoor mask mandate through Feb. 28, keeps students masked

California, Connecticut drop mask mandates as Pritzker fights to keep control

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

Illinois among 20 states dragging down U.S. economic recovery

Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families

Illinois’ financial condition worsens despite receiving billions in federal aid

Illinois home building lags virtually every other state during past decade

Free Six Flags tickets offered for COVID-19 shots in Illinois

Illinois ‘reopens’ June 11, but keep those masks on, Pritzker says

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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