Illinois ranks least tax-friendly state for middle-class families, 2nd-worst for retirees

By Patrick Andriesen

12/06/2022

Tax friendliness reports ranked Illinois as the most expensive for middle-class families and second most expensive for retirees. Analysts cited high property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes as cinching the bottom spots.

TAGS: Illinois, taxes

DCFS held kids in hospitals for months beyond doctors’ orders

By Dylan Sharkey

12/01/2022

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services held kids in psychiatric hospitals for far longer than needed because the agency couldn’t find them housing.

TAGS: DCFS: Department of Children and Family Services

3 things you need to know about latest SAFE-T Act changes

By Joe Tabor

12/01/2022

Lawmakers are set to consider an amendment to the controversial criminal justice reform law set to take effect on Jan. 1. Here are three things Illinoisans should know about the proposed changes.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Report: 40% of Illinois small businesses behind on November rent

By Patrick Andriesen

12/01/2022

A new survey found Illinois reported the third-highest increase in small business rent delinquency nationwide during November, with 40% of respondents unable to pay rent on time or in full.

TAGS: small business

Bipartisan plan to pay off $1B deficit spares Illinois businesses from tax hike

By Dylan Sharkey

11/30/2022

More taxes on businesses and reductions in unemployment benefits were looming as a recession approached, but no longer. Lawmakers agreed to replenish Illinois’ unemployment insurance trust fund and avoid those pitfalls.

Illinois labor board says government unions cannot discriminate against nonmembers

By Mailee Smith

11/30/2022

Illinois government unions wrote the law that gives them a monopoly over all government employees in a unionized workplace. And that means they can’t discriminate against workers who choose not to be members.

TAGS: government unions, ILRB: Illinois Labor Relations Board

CTU allies push to end school choice program for low-income Illinois students

By Dylan Sharkey

11/30/2022

A government union-backed group is pushing parents to ask state lawmakers to kill tax credit scholarships serving the state’s most vulnerable students. Other parents are trying to make the program permanent. Here’s why opponents need to fail.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IFPS: Illinois Families for Public Schools, Invest in Kids

Illinois unemployment highest in U.S. for 2nd month

By Justin Carlson

11/28/2022

Illinois only added 3,600 jobs in October, a drastic drop in job growth coming amid persistent inflation and rising recession fears. Unemployment led the nation.

TAGS: Illinois, unemployment

State lawmakers debate delaying New Year’s Day gas tax hike

By Dylan Sharkey

11/25/2022

A bill in Springfield proposes delaying the Jan. 1 state gas tax hike. If it fails, drivers will see two gas tax hikes in 2023, expected to take the tax to over 45 cents a gallon.

TAGS: gas tax

Illinois holiday shoppers pay highest sales taxes in Midwest

By Dylan Sharkey

11/23/2022

Retailers should expect a record number of holiday shoppers this weekend. Shoppers in Illinois will get hit with some of the nation’s highest sales taxes.

TAGS: Illinois, sales tax

Illinois

Illinois ranks least tax-friendly state for middle-class families, 2nd-worst for retirees

DCFS held kids in hospitals for months beyond doctors’ orders

3 things you need to know about latest SAFE-T Act changes

Report: 40% of Illinois small businesses behind on November rent

Bipartisan plan to pay off $1B deficit spares Illinois businesses from tax hike

Illinois labor board says government unions cannot discriminate against nonmembers

CTU allies push to end school choice program for low-income Illinois students

Illinois unemployment highest in U.S. for 2nd month

State lawmakers debate delaying New Year’s Day gas tax hike

Illinois holiday shoppers pay highest sales taxes in Midwest

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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