Chicago Ald. Quinn pushing ‘decoy’ ordinance to block granny flats

By LyLena Estabine

09/18/2025

Ald. Marty Quinn’s proposed ordinance would restrict additional dwelling units in Chicago to just 20% of the city and add costly labor mandates. It also boosts each alderman’s power over what Chicagoans can do with their own homes.

Nuclear energy gives Illinois economic power, if it will allow new plants

By Ravi Mishra

09/17/2025

A slew of private investments in nuclear energy signals opportunity, yet Illinois remains one of only 12 states that limits production. The state needs to lift its ban on new reactors.

TAGS: nuclear energy

Peoria Heights mayor vetoes grocery tax as Chicago considers it

By Brad Weisenstein

09/16/2025

Peoria Heights’ mayor vetoed a grocery tax, saying the village would not balance its budget on the backs of families at the grocery checkout. Now Chicago is considering taking $73.5 million through the tax.

TAGS: Chicago, grocery tax, taxes

$3.3B in road funds sit idle, yet Illinois drivers face record-high gas taxes

By Ravi Mishra

09/16/2025

If Illinois state lawmakers are not going to spend the $3.3 billion sitting in the state’s road fund, drivers should get a break from the taxes going into it. Illinois gasoline taxes are No. 2 in the U.S.

Studies not enough to cut administrative bloat in Illinois schools

By Lilly Rossi

09/15/2025

The Illinois State Board of Education is giving school districts an incentive to study consolidation, but a flawed process still stands in the way. The state has too many school districts, driving up administrative costs and property taxes.

Tinley Park teachers union may strike Sept. 22

By Lilly Rossi

09/12/2025

District 146 Educators Council has voted to authorize a strike. If an agreement is not reached, teachers in Tinley Park could strike as soon as Sept. 22.

TAGS: teachers union

Food aid feeds almost 2M statewide in May, 1-in-3 in southern counties

By Lauren Zuar

09/12/2025

Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dropped by 3.2% in May. Still, nearly 2 million Illinoisans relied on federal food aid, with participation rates exceeding 30% in some Southern Illinois counties.

1,065 Illinoisans laid off in August, with 276 at Diverse Facility Solutions

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

09/10/2025

Illinois companies announced 1,065 mass layoffs in August. Minority-owned Diverse Facility Solutions, headquartered in Alsip, Illinois, and two other janitorial services companies accounted for nearly half of the jobs lost.

Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union sets Sept. 18 strike date

By Lilly Rossi

09/10/2025

Teachers in the 10th-largest school district in Illinois may be on the picket lines instead of in classrooms with students on Sept. 18. Romeoville and Bolingbrook teachers are paid more than the state average but are pushing for more.

TAGS: teachers union

See how well your local 3rd graders can read

By Hannah Schmid

09/10/2025

Third grade is a critical year for young readers, predicting the success of their future education. See how well your local schools are doing at producing proficient readers by the end of third grade.

Illinois

Chicago Ald. Quinn pushing ‘decoy’ ordinance to block granny flats

Nuclear energy gives Illinois economic power, if it will allow new plants

Peoria Heights mayor vetoes grocery tax as Chicago considers it

$3.3B in road funds sit idle, yet Illinois drivers face record-high gas taxes

Studies not enough to cut administrative bloat in Illinois schools

Tinley Park teachers union may strike Sept. 22

Food aid feeds almost 2M statewide in May, 1-in-3 in southern counties

1,065 Illinoisans laid off in August, with 276 at Diverse Facility Solutions

Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union sets Sept. 18 strike date

See how well your local 3rd graders can read

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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