Comptroller Mendoza’s plan aims to rebuild Illinois’ rainy-day fund

By Adam Schuster, Perry Zhao

08/27/2021

Automatic transfers into Illinois’ rainy-day reserves could help when another fiscal crisis similar to COVID-19 happens.

TAGS: rainy day fund

Pritzker mandates indoor masks, vaccinations for school, medical workers

By Patrick Andriesen, Brad Weisenstein

08/26/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced all Illinoisans age 2 and up are required to wear masks inside public spaces effective Aug. 30. All school and health care workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 5, as must college students.

TAGS: COVID-19, delta, JB Pritzker, masks, vaccine, variant

Pritzker’s record: 24 tax, fee hikes taking $5.24 billion more from Illinoisans

By Adam Schuster, Patrick Andriesen

08/25/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has added more than $5.24 billion in new or higher taxes and fees since taking office. Despite all that new revenue, the nation’s highest taxed state remains a fiscal mess unable to balance a budget for 21 years.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, tax hikes

Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois

By Perry Zhao

08/25/2021

State revenue losses around the country have ranged from far less than expected to non-existent. Fiscally healthy states are giving back to taxpayers. That doesn’t include Illinois.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, taxes

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

By Adam Schuster

08/24/2021

Classrooms First Act would benefit virtually all Illinoisans including teachers, parents and students.

Illinois falls farther behind national economic recovery in July

By Bryce Hill

08/23/2021

Despite the strongest jobs report in months, Illinois’ unemployment rate remains high as the U.S. rate continues to drop.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

Pritzker emergency No. 20 comes nearly 3 months after Illinois’ full reopening

By Patrick Andriesen, Brad Weisenstein

08/23/2021

Illinois has been ruled by executive order since early March 2020, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker reissuing statewide COVID-19 disaster proclamations every 30 days. On Aug. 20 he declared Illinois a disaster for the 20th time.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker

Pritzker wants local governments to use COVID-19 money for property tax relief

By Noah Shaar

08/20/2021

With billions in federal COVID-19 relief earmarked for Illinois schools and local government, Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushed them to use the money to lower or freeze property taxes. He made no mention of the state’s role in pushing property taxes to the second-highest in the U.S.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, property taxes

Chicago’s COVID-19 nurse shortage shows why Illinois must join Nurse Licensure Compact

By Joe Tabor

08/19/2021

The interstate nursing license compact received bipartisan support in the Illinois General Assembly but was opposed by labor unions. COVID-19 medical staffing shortages prove the wisdom of letting nurses be more mobile.

TAGS: Illinois, Nurse Licensure Compact

Illinois hits snags with new COVID-19 vaccine verification system

By Noah Shaar

08/18/2021

Vax Verify, Illinois’ new resident immunization portal, contains incorrect COVID-19 vaccine records. In a state where data leaks and hacks have been too common, the potential for health information being exposed is a reasonable worry.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, Vax Verify

Illinois

Comptroller Mendoza’s plan aims to rebuild Illinois’ rainy-day fund

Pritzker mandates indoor masks, vaccinations for school, medical workers

Pritzker’s record: 24 tax, fee hikes taking $5.24 billion more from Illinoisans

Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

Illinois falls farther behind national economic recovery in July

Pritzker emergency No. 20 comes nearly 3 months after Illinois’ full reopening

Pritzker wants local governments to use COVID-19 money for property tax relief

Chicago’s COVID-19 nurse shortage shows why Illinois must join Nurse Licensure Compact

Illinois hits snags with new COVID-19 vaccine verification system

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