What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax

By Jerry Barmore

10/24/2025

Illinois’ candy tax doesn’t apply to any treats made with flour. Kit Kat, Twix and Snickers are all taxed as groceries, not candy, and come with a cheaper price tag.

West Frankfort teachers union files strike notice

By Lilly Rossi

10/23/2025

West Frankfort’s local union and school board have been at the negotiation table for more than five months. If an agreement is not reached, teachers in West Frankfort could strike as soon as Oct. 26.

TAGS: teachers union

Pensions make homeownership unaffordable in Illinois

By LyLena Estabine

10/23/2025

The dream of homeownership is pushed out of reach by low housing supply and soaring property taxes driven by pension costs.

Pensions take up money that should go to Illinois classrooms

By LyLena Estabine

10/23/2025

Pension costs take a growing share of school funding, driving up property taxes and leaving less for teachers and students.

Every Illinois metro has fewer homes for sale than in 2018

By LyLena Estabine, Jon Josko

10/22/2025

Illinois home prices have jumped 48% since 2018 while available housing inventory has plummeted across all 26 tracked metro areas, creating a housing crisis driven largely by restrictive zoning laws and the nation’s highest property taxes.

Johnson’s “Protecting Chicago” budget proposes nearly $500M in tax hikes

By Lauren Zuar, Ravi Mishra

10/21/2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson describes the 2026 budget as “Protecting Chicago,” but his plan seems to do the opposite. Taxes on Artificial Intelligence, Uber rides and companies with 100+ employees are the biggest revenue sources.

Pritzker absolutely opposed to Johnson’s Chicago corporate “head tax”

By Patrick Andriesen

10/21/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker told the Chicago Economic Club Oct. 21 that he absolutely opposes Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to revive the corporate “head tax” as part of his new budget proposal.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker

Chicago Teachers Union’s radical agenda is coming to a school district near you

By Mailee Smith

10/21/2025

The scandal-plagued president of the Chicago Teachers Union will now also be leading the Illinois Federation of Teachers, which has affiliates in at least 200 districts across the state.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, Stacy Davis Gates

Budget black hole: Pensions and debt devour Chicago budget

By Geoff Feinstein

10/21/2025

Pensions and debt dominate Chicago’s spending increases, crowding out core services. Without reform, rising obligations will drag the city into deeper financial trouble.

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.

Illinois

What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax

West Frankfort teachers union files strike notice

Pensions make homeownership unaffordable in Illinois

Pensions take up money that should go to Illinois classrooms

Every Illinois metro has fewer homes for sale than in 2018

Johnson’s “Protecting Chicago” budget proposes nearly $500M in tax hikes

Pritzker absolutely opposed to Johnson’s Chicago corporate “head tax”

Chicago Teachers Union’s radical agenda is coming to a school district near you

Budget black hole: Pensions and debt devour Chicago budget

Harvey declaring financial distress under $164M debt

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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