Illinois lawmakers get $4,250 raise just months after $12,000 raise

By Justin Carlson

06/29/2023

Illinois state lawmakers had tried to bump their pay by 5.5%, but that violated the state constitution. The must settle for 5%, meaning they will make nearly $90,000 a year.

$6.6B gap in Illinois reserve funds is far from ‘fiscal responsibility’

By Justin Carlson

06/29/2023

Illinois’ rainy-day fund is at an all-time high, but remains $6.6 billion less than recommended by state budget experts. Illinois state government can operate for fewer than 13 days on what it’s saved.

Illinois 1 of 3 states banning you from using fireworks

By Dylan Sharkey

06/28/2023

Independence Day means residents of 47 states will celebrate their freedom by choosing to set off fireworks. Not in Illinois.

TAGS: Independence Day

Illinois again taxing your groceries starting July 1

By Dylan Sharkey

06/28/2023

Illinoisans will notice more expensive food July 1 when Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s election-year suspension of the grocery tax expires. Only Illinois and 12 other states will tax groceries then.

5 years after Janus v. AFSCME, unions are smaller but more militant

By Mailee Smith, Patrick Andriesen

06/26/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of Illinois state worker Mark Janus in 2018 gave government workers the ability to stop funding government union politics. Chastened unions could have reformed. Instead, they got extreme.

Illinoisans get 2nd gas tax hike of 2023 just before Independence Day

By Dylan Sharkey

06/26/2023

Illinoisans face the second gas tax hike of 2023 on July 1. The 3.1 cent hike doesn’t need lawmaker approval, thanks to state leaders implementing automatic gas tax hikes.

Illinois high school students struggle, yet graduation rate hits 10-year high

By Hannah Schmid

06/22/2023

Illinois celebrated its highest graduation rate in a decade. But high school student proficiency and average SAT scores are dropping as chronic absenteeism increases across the state.

Illinois unemployment 4th worst in U.S., job growth slows in May

By Justin Carlson

06/16/2023

While government jobs outpaced the overall growth for the month, manufacturing and construction took the biggest losses as the unemployment rate remains among the worst in the nation.

Welch, Harmon get millions from teachers unions before blocking school choice for poor kids

By Mailee Smith

06/16/2023

It’s a simple choice for Illinois’ top legislative leaders this fall: listen to the over $1 million each got in campaign cash from teachers unions, or back the futures of 9,600 low-income students with a tax credit that is barely a blip in the $50 billion state budget.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, teachers union

Illinois’ pension bonanza: invest $166K, take home $5.5M

By Patrick Andriesen

06/15/2023

Being in the top 10 of Illinois’ five statewide pension systems is an investor’s dream and a taxpayer’s nightmare. The median investment is shy of $166,000, but the estimated lifetime payout is $5.5 million.

Illinois

Illinois lawmakers get $4,250 raise just months after $12,000 raise

$6.6B gap in Illinois reserve funds is far from ‘fiscal responsibility’

Illinois 1 of 3 states banning you from using fireworks

Illinois again taxing your groceries starting July 1

5 years after Janus v. AFSCME, unions are smaller but more militant

Illinoisans get 2nd gas tax hike of 2023 just before Independence Day

Illinois high school students struggle, yet graduation rate hits 10-year high

Illinois unemployment 4th worst in U.S., job growth slows in May

Welch, Harmon get millions from teachers unions before blocking school choice for poor kids

Illinois’ pension bonanza: invest $166K, take home $5.5M

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