2022 midterms show mail voting spreads rapidly across Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

01/11/2023

Over 742,000 Illinoisans voted by mail in November, 67% more than the previous midterm. While many Northern Illinois counties saw record voter participation, Cook County reported its lowest turnout in 25 years.

TAGS: Illinois, vote-by-mail

Chicago Public Schools spends 55% more on 20% fewer students since 2010

By Hannah Schmid

01/10/2023

Over 87,000 students have left Chicago Public Schools and student proficiency rates have dropped since the militant Caucus of Rank and File Educators took over the Chicago Teachers Union in 2010. All that, and 55% higher costs.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Invest in Kids

Illinois House bill would give more power to Chicago Public Schools unions

By Mailee Smith

01/10/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union has already created havoc for kids and parents in Chicago Public Schools, with 5 work stoppages in the past 11 years. Now lawmakers are giving principals and other employees union powers, creating more potential instability for students and parents.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Will Pritzker’s 2nd term bring more tax hikes, emergency orders?

By Dylan Sharkey

01/10/2023

Illinois has reached the four-year mark with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. What do the past four years tell Illinoisans about what to expect in his second term?

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Pritzker issues 38th COVID-19 emergency order

By Dylan Sharkey

01/09/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended his COVID-19 emergency powers into his second term. Illinois is 1 of only 9 states still claiming disaster status as a result of COVID-19.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker

Pritzker signs bill giving $12K pay raises to state lawmakers

By Brad Weisenstein

01/09/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved raises for the statewide elected leaders just ahead of their inaugurations Jan. 9. State lawmakers will get $12,094 raises when they take office Jan. 11. Big hikes also went to Pritzker’s department leaders and their assistants.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

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

Illinois

2022 midterms show mail voting spreads rapidly across Illinois

Chicago Public Schools spends 55% more on 20% fewer students since 2010

Illinois House bill would give more power to Chicago Public Schools unions

Will Pritzker’s 2nd term bring more tax hikes, emergency orders?

Pritzker issues 38th COVID-19 emergency order

Pritzker signs bill giving $12K pay raises to state lawmakers

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

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