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.

Scholarships mean bright future for Chicago teen as electrician

By Jess Plowman

11/28/2025

Chicago Public Schools couldn’t give a teen the right education, but scholarships did. Now state leaders can OK a federal program to help every Illinois student.

11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

By Lilly Rossi

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, Illinoisans should give thanks for Illinois’ heritage, opportunities, wins against new taxes and educational freedom.

Federal aid feeds over 1M Illinois families this Thanksgiving

By Patrick Andriesen

11/27/2025

Over 1 million Illinois families will put turkey on the table this Thanksgiving with the help of federal food assistance.

Final Thanksgiving with statewide grocery tax, but your town?

By Dylan Sharkey

11/27/2025

Illinois families are preparing their final Thanksgiving dinner with the state’s 1% grocery tax. But will your municipality bring the tax back starting Jan. 1?

Illinois House speaker gets $40M sports complex for alma mater

By Lauren Zuar

11/26/2025

Backroom deals produced lots of pork in the state budget, including a $40-million sports complex at the Illinois House speaker’s alma mater.

TAGS: budget, taxes

Illinois

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

Scholarships mean bright future for Chicago teen as electrician

11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

Federal aid feeds over 1M Illinois families this Thanksgiving

Final Thanksgiving with statewide grocery tax, but your town?

Illinois House speaker gets $40M sports complex for alma mater

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