As more states push to consolidate local elections, Illinois should follow their lead

By Gerrin Alexander

09/24/2025

States are pushing to consolidate elections into fewer election days. Aligning municipal with gubernatorial and federal elections streamlines voting and could increase voter turnout.

Illinois housing stock remains woefully low, prices climbing

By LyLena Estabine

09/23/2025

Policies that make building expensive have continued to choke Illinois’ housing supply, pushing more families away with high prices. Nearly $90K has been added to the average house price since 2018.

Illinois sports betting taxes 5th highest in nation, highest in Midwest

By Dylan Sharkey

09/23/2025

Sports betting in Illinois comes with the fifth-highest taxes in the nation. Users on FanDuel, DraftKings or other sites had new fees start in September – just in time for the NFL regular season.

Illinois’ Congressional Democrats reject gerrymandering – for wrong reasons

By Joe Tabor

09/22/2025

Illinois Democrats rejected a mid-cycle redistricting plan cooked up by U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to maximize Democratic partisan advantage in the state’s congressional district map. The reason? They don’t want to endanger their safe seats.

TAGS: gerrymandering

Information sector bright spot as Illinois job market remains sluggish

By Josh Bandoch, Jon Josko

09/19/2025

Illinois showed slow job growth as the state trailed national trends. Unemployment was at 4.4% in August, slightly above the national rate

Federal scholarship could help rural Illinois students find education options

By Hannah Schmid

09/19/2025

A new federal scholarship tax credit program could be a lifeline to students in rural Illinois. They may have limited educational options, but the federal money could boost those options through tutoring or other services if Gov. J.B. Pritzker allows it.

Congressional Democratic leader wants Illinois to super-gerrymander maps

By Dylan Sharkey, Jerry Barmore

09/18/2025

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wants Illinois state lawmakers to redraw congressional district maps to offset Republican gains from mid-decade remapping in Texas. Illinois lawmakers aren’t eager to do it.

Chicago Ald. Quinn pushing ‘decoy’ ordinance to block granny flats

By LyLena Estabine

09/18/2025

Ald. Marty Quinn’s proposed ordinance would restrict additional dwelling units in Chicago to just 20% of the city and add costly labor mandates. It also boosts each alderman’s power over what Chicagoans can do with their own homes.

Nuclear energy gives Illinois economic power, if it will allow new plants

By Ravi Mishra

09/17/2025

A slew of private investments in nuclear energy signals opportunity, yet Illinois remains one of only 12 states that limits production. The state needs to lift its ban on new reactors.

TAGS: nuclear energy

Peoria Heights mayor vetoes grocery tax as Chicago considers it

By Brad Weisenstein

09/16/2025

Peoria Heights’ mayor vetoed a grocery tax, saying the village would not balance its budget on the backs of families at the grocery checkout. Now Chicago is considering taking $73.5 million through the tax.

TAGS: Chicago, grocery tax, taxes

Illinois

As more states push to consolidate local elections, Illinois should follow their lead

Illinois housing stock remains woefully low, prices climbing

Illinois sports betting taxes 5th highest in nation, highest in Midwest

Illinois’ Congressional Democrats reject gerrymandering – for wrong reasons

Information sector bright spot as Illinois job market remains sluggish

Federal scholarship could help rural Illinois students find education options

Congressional Democratic leader wants Illinois to super-gerrymander maps

Chicago Ald. Quinn pushing ‘decoy’ ordinance to block granny flats

Nuclear energy gives Illinois economic power, if it will allow new plants

Peoria Heights mayor vetoes grocery tax as Chicago considers it

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