Illinois

Illinois state spending balloons as state economy stagnates

By Ravi Mishra

12/31/2025

At least 49 tax hikes under Gov. J.B. Pritzker have driven state spending to record highs, even as Illinois’ economic growth has lagged the U.S.

Illinois counts on bad habits to raise $3.47B in sin taxes

By Dylan Sharkey

12/31/2025

Whether your vice is drinking, tobacco, cannabis or gambling, Illinois is enjoying $3.47 billion from taxing it.

TAGS: sin taxes

1-in-5 city tax dollars go to Illinois police, fire pensions

By LyLena Estabine

12/30/2025

Outside of Chicago, municipal property taxes across Illinois are being consumed by police and fire pensions, leaving fewer resources for public safety.

Here are costs, test scores for Illinois school districts

By Hannah Schmid

12/26/2025

Most property taxes go to local public schools. Illinoisans should know how well students read and perform math at school districts compared to the cost.

Naughty list includes state lawmakers, county leaders, mayors

By Patrick Andriesen

12/24/2025

The nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, a state senator and a former Cook County commissioner were on Illinois’ too-long list of corrupt politicians.

Kids home alone could land Illinois parents on naughty list

By Patrick Andriesen

12/24/2025

Illinois parents can now leave their kids home alone at any age, but a state worker or judge could still label their decision as neglect or abuse.

TAGS: home alone

Chicago gets $16.6B budget after mayor refuses to veto

By Brad Weisenstein, Ravi Mishra

12/23/2025

Chicago avoided a city shutdown when Mayor Brandon Johnson accepted the alternative budget aldermen passed despite his wishes.

TAGS: Chicago, taxes

Soybeans, organ donors, flags, reading get new Illinois laws

By Lilly Rossi

12/23/2025

Illinois lawmakers ensure residents ring in the New Year with nearly 300 new laws. A state bean, reading and where to place U.S. flags addressed.

How much did Illinois take from your town’s income taxes?

By Patrick Andriesen

12/22/2025

Illinois local governments lost out on over $10.9 billion in income tax revenue since fiscal year 2012. Here’s what your city or county lost.

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.

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FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Illinois students could soon benefit from scholarship money to help them find a tutor, attend ACT or SAT prep sessions, pay tuition, get special education services or assist with other academic needs. That will happen in Illinois only if Gov. J.B. Pritzker lets the state’s schoolchildren benefit from the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, established...

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