Most Chicagoans, aldermen oppose Johnson’s 2026 budget

By Patrick Andriesen

12/12/2025

Most Chicago City Council members and residents oppose Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget, especially his plan to tax job creation.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago City Council

$1B, unneeded tax hike coming to a tollway near you?

By Patrick Andriesen, Ravi Mishra

12/11/2025

Chicago-area drivers could end up paying $1 billion more in tolls each year as part of a deal state lawmakers admitted was made to get labor union support.

TAGS: Illinois Tollway

Former Illinois House Speaker Madigan asks President Trump for pardon

By Dylan Sharkey

12/10/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is asking President Donald Trump to pardon him. Good luck with that.

TAGS: corruption, Donald Trump, Mike Madigan

Illinois alone lets state pension debt top $100B

By LyLena Estabine

12/09/2025

Illinois’ $143.5 billion state pension debt saw a tiny dip, but meaningful reform is needed to stop threats to taxpayers and protect state retirees.

Norvax, CVS lead layoffs as Illinois loses 1,192 jobs

By Josh Bandoch, Jon Josko

12/05/2025

Illinois’ saw 1,192 mass layoffs in November. Norvax and CVS Health/Oak Street accounted for most of the job losses announced.

Illinois lawmakers push retirement tax to keep spending more

By Ravi Mishra

12/04/2025

As state lawmakers look to plug budget holes by removing limits on state income tax rates, Illinois’ spending is set to continue breaking records.

TAGS: retirement tax

Handing out money without work fails, but Illinois trying it again

By Josh Bandoch

12/03/2025

A 2024 study showed handing people money they hadn’t worked for hurt them, but Illinois lawmakers are putting $827,272 in tax dollars behind the idea again.

TAGS: UBI: Universal Basic Income

How well are your local third graders reading?

By Hannah Schmid

12/03/2025

Illinois lowered its standards in 2025, but over half of third graders still couldn’t read at grade level. It’s a critical milestone. See how your students did.

$1 million a day X 600 years to fill Illinois pension hole

By LyLena Estabine

12/02/2025

Illinois has the highest pension debt per capita. Even if the state spent an extra $1 million a day, your distant descendants would still be paying in 2600.

Nearly 30,000 Chicago teachers are caught in pension trap

By LyLena Estabine

12/01/2025

Half of retired Chicago pensioners make more than average working Illinoisans, but nearly 30,000 teachers won’t be eligible for more than a contribution refund.

Illinois

Most Chicagoans, aldermen oppose Johnson’s 2026 budget

$1B, unneeded tax hike coming to a tollway near you?

Former Illinois House Speaker Madigan asks President Trump for pardon

Illinois alone lets state pension debt top $100B

Norvax, CVS lead layoffs as Illinois loses 1,192 jobs

Illinois lawmakers push retirement tax to keep spending more

Handing out money without work fails, but Illinois trying it again

How well are your local third graders reading?

$1 million a day X 600 years to fill Illinois pension hole

Nearly 30,000 Chicago teachers are caught in pension trap

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