Housing gets boost by easing parking lot mandates near transit

By LyLena Estabine

11/13/2025

The Illinois General Assembly just eliminated parking minimums for developments near transit hubs. That flexibility should boost housing.

Harvey declaring financial distress under $164M debt

By LyLena Estabine

10/21/2025

Harvey is seeking state aid under Illinois’ Financially Distressed City Law, but without pension reform, state oversight offers little hope to fix its $164M crisis.

Illinois property tax rate tops U.S., but pain worse in some areas

By LyLena Estabine

09/08/2025

Illinois' high property taxes hurt the economy, particularly in communities already struggling. When government overtaxes, residents and businesses flee – leaving those remaining with a bigger tax bill.

Illinois might revive back-to-school sales tax holiday

By Dylan Sharkey

04/09/2025

Illinois lawmakers are looking at a bill that would cut sales taxes during back-to-school shopping. Illinois hasn’t had a sales tax holiday in years. The bill would lower the state sales tax from 6.25% to 1.25% on clothes and school supplies for six days in August 2025.

TAGS: sales tax

Illinois close to ending strict hair braiding requirements

By Dylan Sharkey

04/08/2025

Hair braiders across Illinois may face fewer restrictions on their trade. The Illinois House unanimously passed a bill changing the state’s hair braiding laws.

Illinois again considers taxing drivers per mile

By Dylan Sharkey

03/14/2025

There’s another push in Springfield to tax motorists by the mile. Illinoisans already pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation behind only California.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, taxes, VMT: vehicle miles traveled

Teachers unions pushing bills to damage Illinois charter schools

By Hannah Schmid

03/03/2025

Bills filed in the Illinois General Assembly would lay the groundwork to close charter schools or place more restrictions on them. Illinois has a history of restricting charter schools at the behest of teachers unions.

TAGS: charter schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

By Joe Tabor

02/10/2025

Published Feb. 10, 2025 Even though federal COVID relief funds provided an unexpected windfall, that one-time jolt of cash could leave many Illinois localities even worse off than they were before. That boost in revenue allowed local governments to put off difficult budgeting decisions, and as that revenue dries up, municipalities will have to contend...

How Chicago Teachers Union cost 2,000 students their charter schools

By Hannah Schmid

10/11/2024

The Acero Schools charter network is closing seven of its 15 charter schools in the Chicago Public Schools district. Blame the Chicago Teachers Union’s history of opposition to charter schools for spurring the school closures.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union killing charter school access for many families

By Hannah Schmid

06/19/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union’s current contract limits the growth of charter schools in Chicago. The union’s new contract demands seek to further deny access and limit parents’ options for their children’s educations.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

East St. Louis

Housing gets boost by easing parking lot mandates near transit

Harvey declaring financial distress under $164M debt

Illinois property tax rate tops U.S., but pain worse in some areas

Illinois might revive back-to-school sales tax holiday

Illinois close to ending strict hair braiding requirements

Illinois again considers taxing drivers per mile

Teachers unions pushing bills to damage Illinois charter schools

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

How Chicago Teachers Union cost 2,000 students their charter schools

Chicago Teachers Union killing charter school access for many families

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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