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 J.B. Pritzker repealed the state grocery tax.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

Why No One is Selling Homes in Illinois

07/31/2026

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Illinois? From sky-high property taxes to confusing new commission rules, navigating the real estate market is tougher than ever.

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.

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

Teachers can stop paying union dues and keep their benefits

By Hannah Schmid

07/29/2026

Educators can join thousands of their colleagues and opt out of union membership — and retain all benefits provided in their contract.

TAGS: Janus v. AFSCME

Pritzker gets his school cell phone ban bill despite CTU opposition

By Lilly Rossi

07/28/2026

The issue was a priority for the governor. Here’s what you need to know.

Update: Pritzker signs bill to limit cell phone use in classrooms

By Benjamin Hines

07/28/2026

The measure would prohibit most student cell phone use in class. Illinois is one of only eight states with no state law governing cell phone use in schools.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois

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

Why No One is Selling Homes in Illinois

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

Chicago area shows highest rent increase among top 10 metros

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

Teachers can stop paying union dues and keep their benefits

Pritzker gets his school cell phone ban bill despite CTU opposition

Update: Pritzker signs bill to limit cell phone use in classrooms

Who Lives Below the Poverty Line in Illinois? Family Structure and Education Mark the Highest Risk

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students