Tequila is optional. Constitutional liquor tax rules aren’t.

By Joe Tabor, Riya Kapoor

07/24/2026

Illinois wisely scrapped a proposal that could well have violated a 1988 state Supreme Court ruling.

TAGS: alcohol tax, Illinois Department of Revenue

Will new state budget skirt law meant to protect transportation money?

By Joe Tabor

05/29/2026

Year after year the state budget has diverted money meant for transportation to pay the bills. It’s a good bet the fiscal 2027 budget will do it again.

Illinois biometric data law a threat to businesses

By Benjamin Hines

04/17/2026

Despite reforms, litigation continues over the country’s toughest such law.

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

By LyLena Estabine

01/13/2026

Causes, costs, how to set the state free

Illinois Supreme Court asked to hear constitutional challenge case

12/22/2025

The Illinois Supreme Court has been asked to hear a lawsuit challenging where citizens can file constitutional challenges to state laws.

Harvey declaring financial distress under $164M debt

By LyLena Estabine

10/21/2025

Harvey is seeking state aid under Illinois’ Financially Distressed City Law, but without pension reform, state oversight offers little hope to fix its $164M crisis.

Illinois checks, balances? Not under Pritzker

By Lilly Rossi

10/13/2025

As veto session begins and power goes back to the Democratic majority state legislature, the consequences of a single-party state are more evident than ever.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills

By Patrick Andriesen

10/03/2025

Illinois taxpayers in 2024 owed an average of $38,800 each, ranking No. 3 in the U.S. Illinois earned an “F” for fiscal management.

Chicago pensions carry more debt than 44 states

By LyLena Estabine

09/09/2025

Chicago’s pension systems carry over $53 billion in debt, leaving taxpayers with rising bills and no reform in sight.

Illinois pensioners earn nearly $25K more retired than those working to support them

By Patrick Andriesen

06/26/2025

The average retired career state employee in Illinois was paid $93,558 in pension benefits last year. That’s $24,538 more than the average Illinoisan working to pay for those retirees.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, pensions, taxes

Supreme Court of Illinois

Tequila is optional. Constitutional liquor tax rules aren’t.

Will new state budget skirt law meant to protect transportation money?

Illinois biometric data law a threat to businesses

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Illinois Supreme Court asked to hear constitutional challenge case

Harvey declaring financial distress under $164M debt

Illinois checks, balances? Not under Pritzker

Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills

Chicago pensions carry more debt than 44 states

Illinois pensioners earn nearly $25K more retired than those working to support them

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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