Mass layoffs hit 14.7K Illinoisans in 2024, most from business closures

By Patrick Andriesen

01/15/2025

State reports show 14,723 Illinoisans lost their jobs because of mass layoffs during 2024, with two-thirds resulting from business closures.

TAGS: Illinois, unemployment

Another Cook County suburb gives voters say on Illinois issues

By Dylan Sharkey

01/09/2025

Wheeling Township voters will have a chance to weigh in on Illinois state lawmakers imposing unfunded mandates. After the April 1 election, nearly 650,000 Illinoisans’ concerns will have been represented by votes on some of the state’s most pressing issues.

Voters in northwest Cook County take up pension crisis, unfunded mandates

By Dylan Sharkey

01/07/2025

Palatine Township voters will take up some of the state’s most urgent issues at the April 1 election, telling state lawmakers where they stand on public pensions and unfunded state mandates.

TAGS: Cook County

Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing

By Patrick Andriesen

12/31/2024

Nearly 9 in 10 of the Illinois job losses announced in November resulted from businesses closing. Chicago led the state for layoffs, followed by Rockford.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Southwest suburban Cook County voters to take up pension reform, key state issues

By Dylan Sharkey

12/27/2024

Voters in Lemont Township are taking up the pension crisis, gerrymandering and unfunded mandates. The township voted to put three questions on the April 1 ballot to let state leaders know they expect progress on the issues.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes

Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%

By Jerry Barmore

12/22/2024

Sales taxes up to 11.5% will greet some Cook County shoppers this holiday season. Illinois averages 8.85% in sales taxes statewide, slightly more than last year and the seventh highest nationwide.

TAGS: sales tax

Voters near O’Hare take up unfunded state mandates

By Dylan Sharkey

12/19/2024

Voters in Leyden Township will be sounding off April 1 on state mandates made without state funding being provided. Unfunded mandates force local governments to raise taxes to comply with new rules.

Record-setting holiday season expecting nearly 120M travelers

By Dylan Sharkey

12/16/2024

AAA estimates nearly 120 million people will travel 50 miles or more this holiday season. Most of those will travel by car, so Illinois’ gas taxes will make it an expensive ride for them.

Nearly $50K property tax bills robs ‘Home Alone’ house

By Patrick Andriesen

12/13/2024

The current owners of Kevin McCallister’s house from the “Home Alone” movie will pay nearly $50,000 in property taxes this year. Illinoisans pay more than twice as much as the typical American in property taxes.

TAGS: property taxes

Studies: Cook County No. 6 ‘judicial hellhole,’ lawsuit abuse costs each Illinois family $4,281

By Jerry Barmore

12/11/2024

Jackpot justice in Illinois recently drew the ire of two national groups. Cook County was labeled a leading “judicial hellhole.” Lawsuit abuse imposes a $4,281 cost on each Illinois household. State lawmakers, trial lawyers and plaintiff-friendly courts are to blame.

TAGS: Cook County

Cook County

Mass layoffs hit 14.7K Illinoisans in 2024, most from business closures

Another Cook County suburb gives voters say on Illinois issues

Voters in northwest Cook County take up pension crisis, unfunded mandates

Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing

Southwest suburban Cook County voters to take up pension reform, key state issues

Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%

Voters near O’Hare take up unfunded state mandates

Record-setting holiday season expecting nearly 120M travelers

Nearly $50K property tax bills robs ‘Home Alone’ house

Studies: Cook County No. 6 ‘judicial hellhole,’ lawsuit abuse costs each Illinois family $4,281

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