Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

10/13/2025

Chicago’s $1.15 billion projected budget gap is the latest in a decades-long string of structural deficits. Making Chicago’s high taxes worse is not the solution.

Illinois grows enough pumpkins for 8B pumpkin-spice lattes

By Dylan Sharkey

10/10/2025

Illinois can take credit for plenty of Starbucks’ pumpkin spice lattes. The state produces enough pumpkins to make nearly 8 billion pumpkin spice lattes, the most pumpkins in the U.S.

Without reforms, pension insolvency will eat Chicago alive

By LyLena Estabine

10/08/2025

If Chicago’s pension systems become insolvent, the city will have to reduce benefits or make serious cuts to city services. The only way out is constitutional reform.

Rockford youth move from mean streets to building sidewalks

By Jess Plowman

10/07/2025

Rockford youths often faced a hopeless future, but a program is helping them find a trade as they rebuild their community. It is led by a man who once faced their troubles.

Teachers union strike threats as school starts is an unfair tactic

By Lilly Rossi

10/07/2025

At least three Illinois teachers unions threatened to strike at the start of this school year. Keeping students out of class so unions can get their way should be illegal in Illinois.

TAGS: public schools, teachers union

Pritzker stands between public school students, academic help

By Hannah Schmid

10/06/2025

If Gov. J.B. Pritzker lets Illinois join the federal scholarship tax credit program, public school students could receive grants for tutoring, books and other academic services.

TAGS: school choice

Illinois GDP grew 4.8% in 2nd quarter of 2025

By Ravi Mishra

10/03/2025

Illinois’ economy bounces back after early 2025 slump. Long-term growth is threatened by taxation, regulation and barriers to getting a job.

Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills

By Patrick Andriesen

10/03/2025

Illinois taxpayers in 2024 owed an average of $38,800 each, ranking No. 3 in the U.S. Illinois earned an “F” for fiscal management.

Chicago misses grocery tax deadline, saving shoppers $40M

By Dylan Sharkey

10/02/2025

Chicago missed the Oct. 1 deadline to extend the grocery tax. Grocery shoppers will save $40 million for at least six months starting Jan. 1, 2026.

TAGS: grocery tax

See what your Illinois school district superintendent made in 2024

By Lilly Rossi

10/01/2025

Illinois school district superintendent pay topped out at $537,197 in 2024. See your local superintendent's salary here.

TAGS: education, Illinois, property taxes

Illinois

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Illinois grows enough pumpkins for 8B pumpkin-spice lattes

Without reforms, pension insolvency will eat Chicago alive

Rockford youth move from mean streets to building sidewalks

Teachers union strike threats as school starts is an unfair tactic

Pritzker stands between public school students, academic help

Illinois GDP grew 4.8% in 2nd quarter of 2025

Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills

Chicago misses grocery tax deadline, saving shoppers $40M

See what your Illinois school district superintendent made in 2024

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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