Nearly 2M Illinoisans receive federal food assistance in May

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

08/29/2024

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or nearly 1-in-6 state residents – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in May 2024. Illinois ranked No. 9 in the nation for highest rate of federal food help.

TAGS: SNAP

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans get food benefits, up 13.5% since 2019

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

08/08/2024

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 state residents – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in March 2024. Alexander and Pulaski counties led the state with 34% of residents receiving SNAP benefits.

TAGS: food stamps, SNAP

Illinoisans expected to bet $300 million on holiday football

By Dylan Sharkey

12/29/2023

Illinoisans will have wagered more than $300 million on football during December, or roughly $25 a person. Illinois is the second-largest sports betting market in the nation.

Illinoisans rely on food stamps for Christmas dinner

By Dylan Sharkey

12/20/2023

This holiday season, nearly 2 million Illinoisans will rely on federal food assistance. Illinois is eighth in the country for highest reliance on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

TAGS: SNAP

How does Illinois spend its millions in marijuana tax revenue?

By Dylan Sharkey

04/19/2023

April 20 marks Illinois’ fourth high holiday with recreational marijuana. Here’s how cannabis tax dollars are used. March’s monthly sales topped $135 million.

TAGS: marijuana

March Madness means millions in tax revenue for Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

03/14/2023

Illinoisans bet more than $275 million on March Madness in 2022, with the state netting more than $2 million in tax revenue. Revenue totals for sports betting in 2022 were the second highest in the nation behind New York.

TAGS: Illinois gambling, legal gambling, March Madness

Illinois Super Bowl bets expected to nearly double from 2021

By Dylan Sharkey

02/07/2023

Super Bowl betting will likely be a $1 million-plus revenue stream for a third consecutive year in Illinois. If the wagering projection is correct, the revenue could top $2 million on Sunday.

TAGS: Super Bowl

Illinois sports betting tops $1B, ranks 3rd in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

01/09/2023

October 2022 set a record high for sports betting in Illinois: over $1 billion in wagers, which was the third-highest state tally in the U.S.

TAGS: Illinois, sports betting

Report: Illinois government ethics complaints hit new record in 2022

By Dylan Sharkey

12/06/2022

Illinois’ Executive Inspector General reported a record number of complaints, some alleging financial mismanagement and conflicts of interest.

TAGS: ethics violation, OEIG: Office of the Executive Inspector General

Illinois House to probe Pritzker failure to stop 36 veterans’ home deaths

By Dylan Sharkey

05/09/2022

The Pritzker Administration failed to respond despite 11 days of reports about a COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, resulting in 36 deaths, according to a state audit. Now Illinois House members plan to probe the failings.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois Auditor General, Illinois Veterans' Home at LaSalle, JB Pritzker

Illinois Department of Human Services

Nearly 2M Illinoisans receive federal food assistance in May

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans get food benefits, up 13.5% since 2019

Illinoisans expected to bet $300 million on holiday football

Illinoisans rely on food stamps for Christmas dinner

How does Illinois spend its millions in marijuana tax revenue?

March Madness means millions in tax revenue for Illinois

Illinois Super Bowl bets expected to nearly double from 2021

Illinois sports betting tops $1B, ranks 3rd in nation

Report: Illinois government ethics complaints hit new record in 2022

Illinois House to probe Pritzker failure to stop 36 veterans’ home deaths

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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