Holiday travel expected to be second-busiest ever

By Dylan Sharkey

12/18/2023

Holiday travel this year is expected to be the second-busiest since AAA started tracking it in 2000. For Illinoisans, it means driving across a state line could avoid the nation’s second-highest gas taxes.

Vallas: Chicago needs better protection for witnesses

By Paul Vallas

11/14/2023

Mass shootings are rampant in Chicago. Arrests for those shootings are almost nonexistent. Witness protection is the key to changing that.

Oak Lawn renews business license amnesty

By Dylan Sharkey

11/02/2023

Illinois Policy Institute research inspired Oak Lawn to waive licensing fees for hundreds of businesses in the village. The village board unanimously voted to extend the amnesty.

Cook County property taxes up $909 million

By Dylan Sharkey

10/31/2023

Cook County property taxes rose by $909 million. Property owners should expect bills in the mail after Nov. 1, which are due Dec. 1

TAGS: Cook County, property taxes

Another poll finds Illinoisans strongly back school choice scholarships

By Dylan Sharkey

10/18/2023

Democrats’ pollster found Illinois voters strongly support Invest in Kids scholarships for low-income students. The results were similar to other polls, and again tell state lawmakers voters want them to save school choice.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

What Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2024 budget means for Chicagoans

By Josh Bandoch

10/13/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson presented his first budget to other city leaders on Oct. 11. While he kept his promise not to raise property taxes, there are other fiscal challenges that will hit taxpayers hard in the future and need to be addressed now.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

What is the Invest in Kids scholarship program, and why it matters

By Hannah Schmid

10/13/2023

Over 9,600 low-income students rely on the Invest in Kids scholarship program to attend schools that best fit their needs. Here’s what you need to know about the program and why it is important lawmakers extend the program this fall.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Vallas: Chicago can use home rule powers to curb crime

By Paul Vallas

09/19/2023

The SAFE-T Act could make it too hard for Chicago to detain offenders. Residents can’t afford that when the city is already amid a violent crime surge. Chicago leaders should use home rule powers to create a city public safety act.

TAGS: crime

There is no longer cash bail in Illinois. What happens now?

By Joe Tabor

09/18/2023

After litigation delaying its implementation, the full provisions of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act went into effect on Sept. 18. Here’s what to expect.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Vallas: SAFE-T Act starts Monday. 4 ways to make it safer

By Paul Vallas

09/14/2023

Proponents of the SAFE-T Act see it as an end to discrimination in a system that favors the wealthy. Opponents see it as depriving law enforcement of the tools they need to keep streets safe. Both are right. Four legislative actions could fix that.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Cook County

Holiday travel expected to be second-busiest ever

Vallas: Chicago needs better protection for witnesses

Oak Lawn renews business license amnesty

Cook County property taxes up $909 million

Another poll finds Illinoisans strongly back school choice scholarships

What Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2024 budget means for Chicagoans

What is the Invest in Kids scholarship program, and why it matters

Vallas: Chicago can use home rule powers to curb crime

There is no longer cash bail in Illinois. What happens now?

Vallas: SAFE-T Act starts Monday. 4 ways to make it safer

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