$1 million a day X 600 years to fill Illinois pension hole

By LyLena Estabine

12/02/2025

Illinois has the highest pension debt per capita. Even if the state spent an extra $1 million a day, your distant descendants would still be paying in 2600.

Nearly 30,000 Chicago teachers are caught in pension trap

By LyLena Estabine

12/01/2025

Half of retired Chicago pensioners make more than average working Illinoisans, but nearly 30,000 teachers won’t be eligible for more than a contribution refund.

Scholarships mean bright future for Chicago teen as electrician

By Jess Plowman

11/28/2025

Chicago Public Schools couldn’t give a teen the right education, but scholarships did. Now state leaders can OK a federal program to help every Illinois student.

11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

By Lilly Rossi

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, Illinoisans should give thanks for Illinois’ heritage, opportunities, wins against new taxes and educational freedom.

Federal aid feeds over 1M Illinois families this Thanksgiving

By Patrick Andriesen

11/27/2025

Over 1 million Illinois families will put turkey on the table this Thanksgiving with the help of federal food assistance.

Final Thanksgiving with statewide grocery tax, but your town?

By Dylan Sharkey

11/27/2025

Illinois families are preparing their final Thanksgiving dinner with the state’s 1% grocery tax. But will your municipality bring the tax back starting Jan. 1?

Illinois House speaker gets $40M sports complex for alma mater

By Lauren Zuar

11/26/2025

Backroom deals produced lots of pork in the state budget, including a $40-million sports complex at the Illinois House speaker’s alma mater.

TAGS: budget, taxes

Here’s why buying an Illinois home can be hard

By LyLena Estabine, Jon Josko

11/25/2025

Illinois home prices have jumped nearly 50% since 2018 while available housing hasn’t recovered since the pandemic, creating a housing shortage.

Blacker Friday: Illinois shoppers face sales tax hit

By Jerry Barmore

11/25/2025

Holiday shoppers are eager to spend this year. Illinois is overly eager to tax them.

Illinois students could boost ACT scores with scholarships

By Lilly Rossi

11/25/2025

Federal scholarships could give low-income students access to ACT tutors and study materials to help them improve on the college exam.

TAGS: Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Illinois

$1 million a day X 600 years to fill Illinois pension hole

Nearly 30,000 Chicago teachers are caught in pension trap

Scholarships mean bright future for Chicago teen as electrician

11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

Federal aid feeds over 1M Illinois families this Thanksgiving

Final Thanksgiving with statewide grocery tax, but your town?

Illinois House speaker gets $40M sports complex for alma mater

Here’s why buying an Illinois home can be hard

Blacker Friday: Illinois shoppers face sales tax hit

Illinois students could boost ACT scores with scholarships

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