Trucking industry vet calls Illinois toll hike needless punishment

By Jess Plowman

02/03/2026

Illinois toll rates are about to increase as a political favor to construction unions. That’s despite a $3 billion surplus in the road fund.

Most states already say ‘yes’ to donations for students

By Lilly Rossi

02/02/2026

At least 28 states have already said they plan to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program to let donors provide extra academic help to their students.

Illinois loses 1,700 jobs in 2025 while nation adds 584,000

By Josh Bandoch, Jon Josko

01/30/2026

Illinois’ unemployment continued a long-term trend of remaining higher than the national rate as 2025 ends with lost jobs as the nation gained.

Cook County property tax delays hit Evanston, other schools

By LyLena Estabine

01/29/2026

Cook County’s delayed property tax bills are straining school districts with nearly $122 million in unexpected, unneeded costs.

Illinois lawmakers push bad housing fixes, but good options exist

By LyLena Estabine

01/29/2026

Subsidies and rent control will make Illinois’ housing shortage worse. Lawmakers should focus on how they can boost supply.

Donation tax credits can boost Illinois public school foundations

By Mailee Smith

01/28/2026

A federal tax credit is expected to boost school donations. Public school foundations can obtain the funds to help Illinois students.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, school choice

Waste watch: Illinois spends $700K on decolonization activism

By Geoff Feinstein

01/28/2026

Illinois’ rushed, closed-door budgeting process funded $700,000 in taxpayer dollars to a research group promoting “decolonization.”

TAGS: budget, corruption

Vallas: Record-high property tax increase is Preckwinkle’s reelection baggage

By Paul Vallas

01/27/2026

Record Cook County property tax hikes under Toni Preckwinkle expose a fundamentally broken system, benefitting insiders and costing everyone else.

TAGS: Toni Preckwinkle

44K international migrants offset 40K Illinoisans leaving last year

By Bryce Hill

01/27/2026

Illinois’ population grew by 16,108 in 2025 thanks to an influx of people migrating from other countries. But Illinoisans moving away offset most of that gain.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Waste watch: Illinois funnels $4.6M to children’s sports camp

By Geoff Feinstein

01/27/2026

Illinois lawmakers gave $4.6 million to A Ray of Hope on Earth, a sports camp for children. The grants were 10 times the group’s 2023 budget.

TAGS: budget, corruption

Illinois

Trucking industry vet calls Illinois toll hike needless punishment

Most states already say ‘yes’ to donations for students

Illinois loses 1,700 jobs in 2025 while nation adds 584,000

Cook County property tax delays hit Evanston, other schools

Illinois lawmakers push bad housing fixes, but good options exist

Donation tax credits can boost Illinois public school foundations

Waste watch: Illinois spends $700K on decolonization activism

Vallas: Record-high property tax increase is Preckwinkle’s reelection baggage

44K international migrants offset 40K Illinoisans leaving last year

Waste watch: Illinois funnels $4.6M to children’s sports camp

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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