How to get your Illinois driver’s license on your phone

By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg

07/18/2024

Legislation allowing Illinois residents to carry a digital driver’s license or ID on their smartphone will take effect in 2025.

TAGS: drivers license, identification

Chicago, Evanston leaders push for noncitizens to vote in local elections

By Chris Coffey

07/09/2024

The surge of migrants to Chicago and Illinois has made noncitizen voting rights an issue. Chicago and Evanston leaders wanted noncitizens to vote in local elections. Illinois Senators wanted to prevent them from voting. Neither side has secured any changes.

TAGS: elections

Illinois judge rules mid-election attempt to stop challengers is unconstitutional

By Patrick Andriesen

06/05/2024

In a victory for Illinois voter choice, a permanent injunction was issued against a mid-election attempt by state leaders to prevent challengers from getting on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Illinois General Assembly OKs $1.1B in tax hikes for record $53.1B spending

By Bryce Hill

05/29/2024

Illinois state lawmakers’ spending plans came in $410 million higher than what Gov. J.B. Pritzker originally proposed. Taxpayers will be forced to pay $1.1 billion more so Illinois can spend record amounts in fiscal year 2025.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, taxes

Chicago Teachers Union demands parents be kept in dark on curriculum

By Mailee Smith

05/28/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union’s past lobbying to keep curriculum a secret plus its divisive tweets show the union’s demand to allow off-the-record curriculum isn’t in parents’ or students’ best interests.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois leaders who pushed pro-union amendment thwart their own staffers

By Dylan Sharkey

05/22/2024

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon are taking heat from staffers for killing legislation allowing the workers to unionize. Statehouse leaders are big on union rights, as long as it’s not in their offices.

Illinois lawmakers consider ‘Worker Freedom of Speech Act’ to restrict employers

By Dylan Sharkey

05/17/2024

A new bill in the Illinois General Assembly would ban employers from penalizing employees who do not show up to sponsored meetings. Employers could face $1,000 fines.

Red-light cameras take another $500M from Illinois drivers in 5 years

By Patrick Andriesen

05/09/2024

Local governments generated $500 million from red-light camera tickets since 2019, with Chicago alone collecting $223.8 million. Total since 2008: $1.56 billion.

TAGS: red light cameras

Pritzker’s new budget would create state child tax credit

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

04/02/2024

Illinoisans with children younger than 3 could soon get a break on their state taxes. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s newest budget would let qualifying parents around the state keep $12 million in taxes.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Pensions eat up $11.6B of Illinois’ budget

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

04/02/2024

Despite taking up 20% of the state’s general funds and $11.6 billion in total, experts said lawmakers still underpaid the five statewide government retirement plans.

Illinois General Assembly

How to get your Illinois driver’s license on your phone

Chicago, Evanston leaders push for noncitizens to vote in local elections

Illinois judge rules mid-election attempt to stop challengers is unconstitutional

Illinois General Assembly OKs $1.1B in tax hikes for record $53.1B spending

Chicago Teachers Union demands parents be kept in dark on curriculum

Illinois leaders who pushed pro-union amendment thwart their own staffers

Illinois lawmakers consider ‘Worker Freedom of Speech Act’ to restrict employers

Red-light cameras take another $500M from Illinois drivers in 5 years

Pritzker’s new budget would create state child tax credit

Pensions eat up $11.6B of Illinois’ budget

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit Illinois students?

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