Half of Illinois students reading at grade level, fewer in math under loosened standards

By Hannah Schmid

10/30/2025

Newly released data from state assessments show just half of Illinois public school students could read at grade level and 2-in-5 could do math proficiently in 2025. That’s after the state lowered proficiency standards to make the numbers look better.

An Illinois wealth tax would be a legal disaster

By Ravi Mishra

10/29/2025

Illinois’ latest tax scheme, a 4.95% “wealth tax” on unrealized gains for billionaires, risks violating the state constitution, likely resulting in a long and costly legal battle.

Illinois House Democrats push first-in-the-world wealth tax, streaming, concert taxes

By Dylan Sharkey

10/29/2025

State lawmakers are rushing a first-in-the-world wealth tax on billionaires. They also want taxes on streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify and steep surcharges on concerts and ticketed events.

Chicago-area Transit crisis: 7 principles to guide Illinois transportation reform

By LyLena Estabine

10/28/2025

Transit reform can support Illinois riders and taxpayers. These seven principles outline a path to affordability, accountability and efficiency.

Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities

By LyLena Estabine

10/27/2025

While Aurora sits near the top of the safety rankings, Chicago lands near the bottom undermining claims by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.

TAGS: crime

Illinois’ trick-or-treating rules: What to know

By Jerry Barmore

10/27/2025

Halloween is when the masks go on and candy fills the bag. Cities and towns regulating Halloween with trick-or-treating rules do so for safety, so you should check your local Halloween laws.

Harvey needs a way out of its crippling pension debt

By Joe Tabor

10/27/2025

Harvey became the second city in 35 years to ask the state to step in under Illinois’ Financially Distressed City Law. It won’t address the main issue: growing pension liabilities.

What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax

By Jerry Barmore

10/24/2025

Illinois’ candy tax doesn’t apply to any treats made with flour. Kit Kat, Twix and Snickers are all taxed as groceries, not candy, and come with a cheaper price tag.

West Frankfort teachers union files strike notice

By Lilly Rossi

10/23/2025

West Frankfort’s local union and school board have been at the negotiation table for more than five months. If an agreement is not reached, teachers in West Frankfort could strike as soon as Oct. 26.

TAGS: teachers union

Pensions make homeownership unaffordable in Illinois

By LyLena Estabine

10/23/2025

The dream of homeownership is pushed out of reach by low housing supply and soaring property taxes driven by pension costs.

Illinois

Half of Illinois students reading at grade level, fewer in math under loosened standards

An Illinois wealth tax would be a legal disaster

Illinois House Democrats push first-in-the-world wealth tax, streaming, concert taxes

Chicago-area Transit crisis: 7 principles to guide Illinois transportation reform

Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities

Illinois’ trick-or-treating rules: What to know

Harvey needs a way out of its crippling pension debt

What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax

West Frankfort teachers union files strike notice

Pensions make homeownership unaffordable in Illinois

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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