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.

Chicago Teachers Union spreads attacks on charter schools across Illinois

By Hannah Schmid

04/08/2025

The tentative agreement between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools will further damage charter schools in Chicago. CTU also has been working in the Statehouse to hinder charter schools and place more restrictions on them statewide.

Teachers unions don’t want teachers evaluated on how well students are learning

By Hannah Schmid

03/04/2025

Democrats in the Illinois Senate filed a bill to remove student academic growth data as a measure for teacher evaluations. The Illinois Federation of Teachers backs the bill – another effort by the union to obstruct accountability.

TAGS: public schools

How to stop unfair elections in Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

02/27/2025

Some Illinois voters April 1 will tell state lawmakers what to do about some of the state’s most pressing problems. One of the issues is the process of deciding legislative and congressional districts. Here’s what to know about gerrymandering.

Illinois Forward 2026: How the state can spend responsibly

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

02/12/2025

After years of splurging with revenue boosted by temporary federal aid, future deficits over $5 billion await the Illinois state budget. It’s time Illinois state leaders learn from past mistakes and manage other people’s money responsibly.

Illinois government workers’ union dues being diverted to swing-state politics

By Mailee Smith

09/19/2024

Illinois government workers’ union dues fund Democratic Party campaign committees, which are now seeking to tip the presidential election outcome in swing states. That fails to align with at least 40% of members’ politics.

TAGS: SEIU: Service Employees International Union

Did your state lawmaker take Chicago Teachers Union money?

07/23/2024

See how much campaign money your Illinois state representative and state senator received from the Chicago Teachers Union.

Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients

By Dylan Sharkey

05/17/2024

The Illinois Senate approved legislation banning four food additives, sending it to the House. Manufacturers will need to sell an alternate recipe in Illinois if the bill becomes law.

Bill would broaden Illinois agency’s emergency powers

By Dylan Sharkey

04/16/2024

A bill expanding emergency powers for a state agency passed the Illinois Senate and is in the Illinois House. Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared COVID-19 an emergency for more than 3 years, so why is the bill needed?

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois’ new nuclear bill goes dark before it can spark

By Jess Plowman

01/01/2024

While technically ending Illinois’ nuclear power plant moratorium, a new law does not allow even one watt of nuclear energy to be generated for the public electrical grid.

Illinois Senate

Illinois close to ending strict hair braiding requirements

Chicago Teachers Union spreads attacks on charter schools across Illinois

Teachers unions don’t want teachers evaluated on how well students are learning

How to stop unfair elections in Illinois

Illinois Forward 2026: How the state can spend responsibly

Illinois government workers’ union dues being diverted to swing-state politics

Did your state lawmaker take Chicago Teachers Union money?

Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients

Bill would broaden Illinois agency’s emergency powers

Illinois’ new nuclear bill goes dark before it can spark

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help 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