Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot

By Patrick Andriesen

11/09/2025

Illinois puts lots of restrictions on independent candidates. Just one got on the 2024 ballot in 155 races.

Illinois drops 6 spots in 6 years for tax competitiveness

By Patrick Andriesen

11/07/2025

Illinois’ state tax competitiveness ranking dropped six spots – from 32nd to 38th in the past six years. That’s the worst in the Midwest.

Madigan’s corruption doesn’t deserve an oil portrait

By Lilly Rossi

11/06/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption conviction means capturing his likeness in a portrait would be tax dollars poorly spent, one lawmaker says.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Illinois parents, taxpayers shut out when teacher strikes threatened

By Lilly Rossi

11/06/2025

Teachers unions threaten to strike, then use that leverage in secret negotiations. Parents, taxpayers don’t know the contract’s price until it’s too late.

Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average

By Hannah Schmid

11/05/2025

New Illinois State Board of Education data shows low-income and minority public school students are struggling, scoring well below average.

Vallas: Legislation buys CTA time to fix itself, but will it?

By Paul Vallas

11/04/2025

New taxes buy the Chicago Transit Authority some time, but state lawmakers failed fix anything that led to the crisis. Here are three ways city leaders can fix the CTA.

Pritzker vetoes 5th lowest of 16 Democrat-controlled states

By Lilly Rossi

11/04/2025

In Illinois, 99% of state bills passed by the Democratic supermajority become law with no objection by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Democracy suffers without checks and balances.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois, Chicago voters rank high taxes as No. 1 issue

By Patrick Andriesen

11/04/2025

More than half of Illinois voters and one-third of Chicago voters said high taxes were their No. 1 concern. Despite that, Springfield and Chicago politicians both are hiking taxes again to spend more.

Illinois lifts nuclear ban, but tightens grip on energy supply

By Ravi Mishra

10/31/2025

Lawmakers pass a bill to end the ban on large nuclear plants but include plans on expanding state control over energy.

$53 billion pension spike advances during last-minute veto session

By Bryce Hill

10/31/2025

A bill that would increase Tier 2 pension benefits was passed out of Illinois House Executive Committee on Oct 30.

Illinois

Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot

Illinois drops 6 spots in 6 years for tax competitiveness

Madigan’s corruption doesn’t deserve an oil portrait

Illinois parents, taxpayers shut out when teacher strikes threatened

Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average

Vallas: Legislation buys CTA time to fix itself, but will it?

Pritzker vetoes 5th lowest of 16 Democrat-controlled states

Illinois, Chicago voters rank high taxes as No. 1 issue

Illinois lifts nuclear ban, but tightens grip on energy supply

$53 billion pension spike advances during last-minute veto session

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