Harvey declaring financial distress under $164M debt

By LyLena Estabine

10/21/2025

Harvey is seeking state aid under Illinois’ Financially Distressed City Law, but without pension reform, state oversight offers little hope to fix its $164M crisis.

Scholarships can help special ed students denied services in Chicago

By Lilly Rossi

10/20/2025

More than 2,000 special education students in Chicago Public Schools are denied support they’re legally guaranteed. Federal scholarships could help pay for service, but only Gov. Pritzker opts Illinois into them.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Illinois SNAP errors could cost taxpayers up to $700 million in penalties

By Lauren Zuar

10/20/2025

Illinois risks millions in penalties under new federal law because of errors in determining who qualifies for food assistance. To protect taxpayers and struggling families, the state must increase its administrative precision.

TAGS: SNAP

Virginia raises bar for students while Illinois hides struggles

By Hannah Schmid

10/20/2025

Low student proficiency is being hidden in Illinois. Virginia raised its expectations for students.

TAGS: public schools

Chicago loosens granny flat rules, still lags California

By LyLena Estabine

10/20/2025

Chicago just expanded where accessory dwelling units can be built, but California’s sweeping reforms show how far the city still has to go.

Lawmakers push DoorDash, Uber Eats delivery tax statewide for Chicago transit

By LyLena Estabine

10/17/2025

Lawmakers may approve a statewide delivery tax on Doordash and Uber Eats to fund Chicago transit, hitting all Illinoisans who shop online, even those who don’t use CTA, Metra or Pace.

Chicago park pension remains underfunded despite reforms

By LyLena Estabine

10/17/2025

Despite a 2021 law meant to improve the funding ratio of Chicago’s park pension, the amount of money the system has on hand to pay out benefits remains low.

CTA proposes first fare hike in seven years: here’s by how much

By Ravi Mishra

10/16/2025

The Chicago Transit Authority’s 2026 budget includes scenarios dependent on state funding along with a 25-cent fare hike on bus and rail.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

Unused office space could mean more Chicago housing

By LyLena Estabine

10/16/2025

New York City has seen success in converting office space into residences. Chicago should do the same.

TAGS: affordable housing

Massive property tax hikes hurt Chicago’s low-income families

By LyLena Estabine

10/16/2025

Chicago homeowners on the South and West Sides are bracing for huge property tax hikes, driven by surging assessments and government spending tied to pensions.

TAGS: property taxes

Illinois

Harvey declaring financial distress under $164M debt

Scholarships can help special ed students denied services in Chicago

Illinois SNAP errors could cost taxpayers up to $700 million in penalties

Virginia raises bar for students while Illinois hides struggles

Chicago loosens granny flat rules, still lags California

Lawmakers push DoorDash, Uber Eats delivery tax statewide for Chicago transit

Chicago park pension remains underfunded despite reforms

CTA proposes first fare hike in seven years: here’s by how much

Unused office space could mean more Chicago housing

Massive property tax hikes hurt Chicago’s low-income families

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