Candidate survey: who is running for Chicago School Board?

09/26/2024

More than a dozen candidates filled out an Illinois Policy questionnaire to give voters a better idea of who is running for office. Read their answers below.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Illinois had 1,183 mass layoffs in August, with more than 9-in-10 stemming from business closures

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

09/24/2024

Chicago led the state in mass layoffs, accounting for more than one-third of job cuts in August. The statewide data shows 93% of job losses stemmed from companies closing up shop.

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

What dates should I know this election?

09/11/2024

There are a lot of important dates and deadlines for voters surrounding Election Day. Here's what you need to know before and after Nov. 5.

Here’s what to know about Chicago’s 31 school board candidates

By Patrick Andriesen

09/10/2024

Chicago voters will pick from 31 candidates for 10 school board seats. The Chicago Teachers Union is trying to expand its political power by pushing a candidate in each of the 10 districts.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

2 new Illinois property taxes laws fail to offer taxpayers real relief

By Joe Tabor

09/05/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently approved two laws intended to spur change in the way property taxes work in Illinois. They are old ideas that will provide more show than relief.

TAGS: property taxes

1,190 Illinois jobs shed in July, with Deere leading for 2nd month

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

09/04/2024

The Quad Cities will experience a combined 319 job cuts after John Deere announced layoffs at both its World Headquarters in Moline and Harvester Works factory in East Moline. Romeoville saw more than 1-in-4 of the mass layoffs statewide.

TAGS: jobs

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stares down a $1 billion city budget deficit

By Bryce Hill

08/30/2024

Updated budget forecasts show a $982 million shortfall for the upcoming 2025 budget as Chicago grapples with $223 million remaining deficit this year. Mayor Brandon Johnson refuses to rule out property tax hikes.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, property taxes

Nearly 2M Illinoisans receive federal food assistance in May

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

08/29/2024

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or nearly 1-in-6 state residents – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in May 2024. Illinois ranked No. 9 in the nation for highest rate of federal food help.

TAGS: SNAP

Illinois No. 2 in nation for highest gas taxes

By Dylan Sharkey

08/16/2024

Only California has higher gasoline taxes than Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s automatic gas tax boost just bumped the rate to 47 cents per gallon. It was 19 cents before Pritzker took office.

TAGS: gas prices, JB Pritzker, taxes

Cook County

Candidate survey: who is running for Chicago School Board?

Illinois had 1,183 mass layoffs in August, with more than 9-in-10 stemming from business closures

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

What dates should I know this election?

Here’s what to know about Chicago’s 31 school board candidates

2 new Illinois property taxes laws fail to offer taxpayers real relief

1,190 Illinois jobs shed in July, with Deere leading for 2nd month

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stares down a $1 billion city budget deficit

Nearly 2M Illinoisans receive federal food assistance in May

Illinois No. 2 in nation for highest gas taxes

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