Illinois police, firefighters push back on state control of pensions

By Patrick Andriesen

12/06/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill to consolidate local police and firefighter pensions from across downstate Illinois, but beneficiaries are suing because the state is notorious for poor pension management.

TAGS: consolidation, government unions, Illinois, pensions

Illinois marijuana sales double, likely to hit $1.5 billion for 2021

By Dylan Sharkey

12/06/2021

Legal marijuana has seen nine consecutive months tally at least $100 million in Illinois sales. The state is on pace to double the previous year and exceed $1.5 billion in sales. Still, Illinois’ illegal market churns out higher sales and violence.

TAGS: Illinois, marijuana, revenue

Illinois ending debit card payments for unemployment benefits

By Patrick Andriesen

12/06/2021

Illinois is ending its debit card option and going to paper checks for unemployment benefits, unless recipients arrange for direct deposit. The state has yet to address a $5.8 billion deficit in the unemployment fund.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, unemployment

Masks off by holidays? Pritzker likely taking back his ‘gift’

By Patrick Andriesen

12/03/2021

New COVID-19 cases have surged across Illinois, leading some state leaders to question why the only state east of the Mississippi with a universal mask mandate is seeing worse case rates than those without a mandate.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks

Illinois among 20 states dragging down U.S. economic recovery

By Orphe Divounguy

12/03/2021

The pandemic caused the largest and shortest economic contraction in U.S. history. But as other states recovered, Illinois’ economy remained $17 billion below the pre-pandemic trend through the first half of 2021.

TAGS: COVID-19, economy, Illinois

Invest in Kids Act could reduce inequality, lower crime in Illinois’ big cities

By Orphe Divounguy

12/03/2021

A solid education and satisfying employment will go a long way toward reducing crime in Illinois. State lawmakers already have a solution in place, but it needs a boost.

TAGS: crime, Illinois, Invest in Kids, school choice

Nearly 1 in 3 Illinois students didn’t take assessment tests

By Dylan Sharkey

12/03/2021

Lots of Illinois students missed lots of school during 2021, meaning state test scores suffered. Chronic truancy led to drops across demographics.

Pritzker again breaks veto promise, signs gerrymandered congressional maps

By Patrick Andriesen

12/01/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the congressional district map designed to boost Democrats in the U.S. House. With districts that snake and twist across the state, gerrymandering remains a hallmark of Illinois politics despite Pritzker’s pledge to veto such maps.

TAGS: gerrymandering, JB Pritzker, legislative map

Peoria mayor on pensions: ‘We’ll never catch up, not in our lifetimes’

By Patrick Andriesen

11/29/2021

Peoria leaders said they are in ‘survival mode’ and need to take $4 million from this year’s budget to help make pension payments for the next two years. The mayor calls for state action to fix the pension debt crisis.

TAGS: pensions, Peoria

Illinois drivers pay $1,119 extra a year thanks to bad roads, bridges

By Patrick Andriesen

11/24/2021

Illinois ranked 14th worst in the nation for road infrastructure with 20% of state roadways non-acceptable and 12% of bridges in poor condition by federal standards. It was near last in spending on repairs.

TAGS: government spending, Illinois, roads

Illinois

Illinois police, firefighters push back on state control of pensions

Illinois marijuana sales double, likely to hit $1.5 billion for 2021

Illinois ending debit card payments for unemployment benefits

Masks off by holidays? Pritzker likely taking back his ‘gift’

Illinois among 20 states dragging down U.S. economic recovery

Invest in Kids Act could reduce inequality, lower crime in Illinois’ big cities

Nearly 1 in 3 Illinois students didn’t take assessment tests

Pritzker again breaks veto promise, signs gerrymandered congressional maps

Peoria mayor on pensions: ‘We’ll never catch up, not in our lifetimes’

Illinois drivers pay $1,119 extra a year thanks to bad roads, bridges

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

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Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students