Illinois’ back-to-school sales tax break provides relief for 10 days

By Shaw Carlson

08/06/2026

The state will slash its sales tax for 10 days this month.

Education Freedom Tax Credit can save donors 354% more than a deduction

By Rich Witzel

08/06/2026

Under the program, donors can receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700. That’s a direct subtraction from your tax bill, not just a deduction from your taxable income.

TAGS: EFTC: Education Freedom Tax Credit, FSTC: Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Johnson’s relocation fee threatens affordable rentals

By LyLena Estabine

08/05/2026

A proposed ordinance would force landlords to pay tenants thousands to end a lease. The mandate risks higher rents and fewer affordable units.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Almost 40% of lawmakers who passed Pritzker’s automatic gas tax hikes no longer in office

By Rich Witzel

08/04/2026

Of the 131 who voted for the increases in 2019, 51 aren’t in the General Assembly today.

Naperville could scrap grocery tax in favor of higher sales tax

By Jessica Rehberg

08/04/2026

Revenue is falling short of expectations from the grocery tax, which was enacted after Gov. J.B. Pritzker repealed the state grocery tax.

Stacy Davis Gates: The scandal-plagued leadership of a teachers union president

By Hannah Schmid

08/03/2026

Stacy Davis Gates’ tenure as president of the Chicago Teachers Union and Illinois Federation of Teachers has been riddled with scandals. Now, fewer than 1-in-3 Chicagoans have a favorable opinion of the union.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Thanks to gerrymandering, over 90% of recently passed bills in Illinois were sponsored by one party 

By Lilly Rossi

07/31/2026

Partisan politics is a big player in the Illinois Capitol. The state needs real redistricting reform to increase competition, expand representation and strengthen accountability.

Bill on Pritzker’s desk would let high-schoolers take more career classes

By Katie Crain

07/31/2026

Gov. J.B. Pritzker could expand access to training for high school students in careers such as welding and web development.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Chicago area shows highest rent increase among top 10 metros

By Grace Hansen

07/30/2026

Year-over-year rents rose in Illinois while falling nationwide. Champaign-Urbana posted the country’s fourth-highest increase.

Illinois Federation of Teachers educators aren’t getting what they’re paying for

By Mailee Smith

07/29/2026

The majority of IFT’s spending is not on representing teachers, according to its own reports. Teachers can opt out of the union during August.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Illinois

Illinois’ back-to-school sales tax break provides relief for 10 days

Education Freedom Tax Credit can save donors 354% more than a deduction

Johnson’s relocation fee threatens affordable rentals

Almost 40% of lawmakers who passed Pritzker’s automatic gas tax hikes no longer in office

Naperville could scrap grocery tax in favor of higher sales tax

Stacy Davis Gates: The scandal-plagued leadership of a teachers union president

Thanks to gerrymandering, over 90% of recently passed bills in Illinois were sponsored by one party

Bill on Pritzker’s desk would let high-schoolers take more career classes

Chicago area shows highest rent increase among top 10 metros

Illinois Federation of Teachers educators aren’t getting what they’re paying for

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