Iowa governor ends emergency powers

By Patrick Andriesen

02/04/2022

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said after two years of COVID-19 mitigations and a sharp decline in rates, she believes Iowans will make the safe choices without laws forcing them. Pritzker does not share that confidence in Illinoisans.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, Iowa, restrictions

Illinois jobs recovery worst in Midwest, 8th-worst in nation

By Bryce Hill

02/04/2022

With 251,900 jobs still missing since the pandemic began, Illinois’ job market is the least recovered among Midwestern states

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, jobs

Chicago Teachers Union president quitting after 3rd strike in 27 months

By Dylan Sharkey

02/04/2022

Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey announced he’s returning to the classroom once his term expires in June. Sharkey has led CTU since 2014 through three work stoppages.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Jesse Sharkey, strike

Illinois can save $577M on pensions by adding a date to a law

By Dylan Sharkey

02/03/2022

Illinois’ pension debt is the highest of any state. An easy fix to state law would start the Tier 3 retirement program, saving $577 million while workers gain options.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Illinois, pensions

House bill would lower property taxes by trimming Illinois government waste

By Justin Carlson

02/03/2022

Illinois leads the nation in local government bloat, with over 6,000 taxing bodies. The Citizen’s Empowerment Act, sponsored by Illinois House Rep. Jonathan Carroll, would make it easier for Illinois taxpayers to dissolve unnecessary layers of government.

TAGS: Illinois, Jonathan Carroll, local government consolidation, property taxes, waste

Chicagoans owe $43,100 each to settle city debt

By Patrick Andriesen

02/02/2022

A financial watchdog report estimated each taxpayer in Chicago would need to pay $43,100 to settle the city’s debt. It stands at No. 2 for big U.S. cities. Blame city leaders for repeatedly making pension debt worse.

TAGS: Chicago, debt

Pritzker claims $1.7B surplus while his budget shows $1.5B deficit

By Adam Schuster

02/02/2022

Despite claims during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s speech, his budget documents show a flood of federal COVID-19 aid temporarily shrank Illinois’ deficit but failed to balance its budget. His next budget will not end well.

TAGS: budget, deficit, JB Pritzker

Black Illinoisans still hurt most by COVID-19 job losses despite strong 2021

By Bryce Hill

02/02/2022

Nearly 17% of the jobs held by Black Illinoisans prior to the COVID-19 pandemic are still missing, nearly triple the loss of white Illinoisans.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, race gap, unemployment

Pritzker pitches $1B in temporary tax cuts after $5.4B in permanent tax hikes

By Patrick Andriesen

02/01/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to unveil $1 billion in temporary tax cuts on groceries, property taxes and gas bills in his new budget. It all goes away just months after he seeks reelection Nov. 8, changing little.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, State of the State, taxes

If Illinois uses COVID-19 funds for operations, expect financial pitfall

By Patrick Andriesen

01/31/2022

A think tank advised Illinois leaders not to use temporary federal COVID-19 relief aid for on-going programs. It would lead to future funding shortfalls.

TAGS: American Rescue Plan, COVID-19, Illinois

Illinois

Iowa governor ends emergency powers

Illinois jobs recovery worst in Midwest, 8th-worst in nation

Chicago Teachers Union president quitting after 3rd strike in 27 months

Illinois can save $577M on pensions by adding a date to a law

House bill would lower property taxes by trimming Illinois government waste

Chicagoans owe $43,100 each to settle city debt

Pritzker claims $1.7B surplus while his budget shows $1.5B deficit

Black Illinoisans still hurt most by COVID-19 job losses despite strong 2021

Pritzker pitches $1B in temporary tax cuts after $5.4B in permanent tax hikes

If Illinois uses COVID-19 funds for operations, expect financial pitfall

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