1-in-5 city tax dollars go to Illinois police, fire pensions

By LyLena Estabine

12/30/2025

Outside of Chicago, municipal property taxes across Illinois are being consumed by police and fire pensions, leaving fewer resources for public safety.

Here are costs, test scores for Illinois school districts

By Hannah Schmid

12/26/2025

Most property taxes go to local public schools. Illinoisans should know how well students read and perform math at school districts compared to the cost.

Naughty list includes state lawmakers, county leaders, mayors

By Patrick Andriesen

12/24/2025

The nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, a state senator and a former Cook County commissioner were on Illinois’ too-long list of corrupt politicians.

Kids home alone could land Illinois parents on naughty list

By Patrick Andriesen

12/24/2025

Illinois parents can now leave their kids home alone at any age, but a state worker or judge could still label their decision as neglect or abuse.

TAGS: home alone

Chicago gets $16.6B budget after mayor refuses to veto

By Brad Weisenstein, Ravi Mishra

12/23/2025

Chicago avoided a city shutdown when Mayor Brandon Johnson accepted the alternative budget aldermen passed despite his wishes.

TAGS: Chicago, taxes

Soybeans, organ donors, flags, reading get new Illinois laws

By Lilly Rossi

12/23/2025

Illinois lawmakers ensure residents ring in the New Year with nearly 300 new laws. A state bean, reading and where to place U.S. flags addressed.

How much did Illinois take from your town’s income taxes?

By Patrick Andriesen

12/22/2025

Illinois local governments lost out on over $10.9 billion in income tax revenue since fiscal year 2012. Here’s what your city or county lost.

Illinois Supreme Court asked to hear constitutional challenge case

12/22/2025

The Illinois Supreme Court has been asked to hear a lawsuit challenging where citizens can file constitutional challenges to state laws.

National Education Association spends on politics over teachers

By Mailee Smith

12/22/2025

Just 10 cents of every dollar the National Education Association spent in 2025 was on representing teachers. Politics and contributions took nearly four times that amount.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association

Lawmaker gifts this holiday season? Illinois has rules.

By Lilly Rossi

12/22/2025

There are limits on gift giving to Illinois state lawmakers, but there are exceptions. Here’s where the state draws the line between generosity and graft.

Illinois

1-in-5 city tax dollars go to Illinois police, fire pensions

Here are costs, test scores for Illinois school districts

Naughty list includes state lawmakers, county leaders, mayors

Kids home alone could land Illinois parents on naughty list

Chicago gets $16.6B budget after mayor refuses to veto

Soybeans, organ donors, flags, reading get new Illinois laws

How much did Illinois take from your town’s income taxes?

Illinois Supreme Court asked to hear constitutional challenge case

National Education Association spends on politics over teachers

Lawmaker gifts this holiday season? Illinois has rules.

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