Illinois sports betting tops $1B, ranks 3rd in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

01/09/2023

October 2022 set a record high for sports betting in Illinois: over $1 billion in wagers, which was the third-highest state tally in the U.S.

TAGS: Illinois, sports betting

Illinois families spend 3rd-highest in nation on government pensions

By Patrick Andriesen

01/09/2023

The typical career state pensioner earns more in retirement than Illinoisans do working. Households now pay over three times more than they did nearly two decades ago to cover the costs.

TAGS: government unions, Illinois, pensions

Illinois House sneaks through $12,000 pay raises for themselves

By Brad Weisenstein

01/07/2023

A late Friday-night move would add nearly $12,000 to the salary of each state lawmaker, raise salaries for statewide elected leaders such as the governor, and boost salaries for agency directors and their subordinates. Plus, they get cost-of-living increases.

TAGS: Illinois House of Representatives, lawmaker pay

How Illinois lawmakers can give school choice to 9,000 low-income students

By Dylan Sharkey

01/06/2023

A scholarship program that has helped more than 9,000 low-income students choose to attend private schools will expire at the end of 2023 unless lawmakers expand the Invest in Kids Act.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, school choice

SAFE-T Act’s end to cash bail paused by Illinois Supreme Court

By Patrick Andriesen

01/02/2023

The Illinois Supreme Court stayed a provision of the SAFE-T Act set to take effect Jan. 1 that would have eliminated cash bail statewide after a county judge ruled it would violate the state constitution. The high court said it planned an “expedited” review.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Illinois among worst-prepared in nation to weather next recession

By Justin Carlson

01/02/2023

Illinois lawmakers and Gov. J.B. Pritzker reached a deal to pay off $1.8 billion borrowed from the federal government for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a positive step, but the state remains ill-prepared for the next economic shock.

TAGS: Illinois, unemployment

Chicago Teachers Union tries to kill school choice for low-income students

By Hannah Schmid

12/30/2022

Spring test data shows demographic achievement gaps persist in Chicago Public Schools, yet the Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate a scholarship program giving low-income students a way out of the underperforming public school system.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids, tax credit scholarships

Pritzker gas tax hike takes effect on New Year’s Day

By Dylan Sharkey

12/29/2022

Illinoisans are stuck with two gas tax hikes in 2023, thanks to Gov. J.B. Pritzker delaying the 2022 hike until after his election.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

Illinoisans pay highest cellphone taxes in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

12/28/2022

Smartphone owners in Illinois pay the highest taxes in the nation

TAGS: cell phone tax, Illinois, taxes

What’s next for Amendment 1?

By Mailee Smith

12/26/2022

Now that the Illinois Constitution has been amended to expand government union power, residents can expect to see costly government union demands, increased taxes and litigation to clarify its vague language.

TAGS: Amendment 1

Illinois

Illinois sports betting tops $1B, ranks 3rd in nation

Illinois families spend 3rd-highest in nation on government pensions

Illinois House sneaks through $12,000 pay raises for themselves

How Illinois lawmakers can give school choice to 9,000 low-income students

SAFE-T Act’s end to cash bail paused by Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois among worst-prepared in nation to weather next recession

Chicago Teachers Union tries to kill school choice for low-income students

Pritzker gas tax hike takes effect on New Year’s Day

Illinoisans pay highest cellphone taxes in nation

What’s next for Amendment 1?

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