No degree? No problem. Chicago expanding access to work

By Lauren Zuar

05/28/2025

A new Chicago ordinance will remove college degree requirements for most city jobs. The measure breaks down employment barriers for disadvantaged groups and opens new pathways to prosperity.

Only 4 states tax services by default, but Illinois may join them

By Patrick Andriesen

05/27/2025

Adding sales taxes to services is limited in the U.S., with 46 states not generally taxing services. Illinois may break from the pack and start adding sales taxes to haircuts, lawn care, car repair and a long list of other service expected to cost $2.7 billion.

Vallas: Pritzker for president? Check that Illinois baggage.

By Paul Vallas

05/26/2025

As Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker positions himself as the foil to President Donald Trump, a look at his record as governor is telling. What it is telling is not good.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, jobs, taxes

Pritzker preps for presidential run carrying weight of Illinois failures

By Patrick Andriesen

05/23/2025

Outcomes for Illinoisans have dropped since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office. The nation’s Democrats need to see where he’s taken Illinois before following his lead on the national stage.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, taxes, unemployment

Illinois’ opaque budget process drives mismanagement, harms taxpayers

By Lauren Zuar

05/23/2025

Despite Illinois law setting clear budget rules, lawmakers routinely fast-track last-minute, backroom deals, keeping voters and other legislators in the dark.

Housing won’t be affordable until Illinois starts building more units

By LyLena Estabine

05/21/2025

Illinois municipal leaders didn’t grant building permits to enough new housing in 2024. Low numbers and lack of density indicate Illinois could improve its housing picture with more development.

TAGS: affordable housing, housing market

Too much local government makes Illinois inefficient, raises property taxes

By Chris Coffey

05/21/2025

Illinois is the most inefficient state in the Midwest and the 14th-most inefficient in the country. That’s driven in part by excessive units of local government – more than in any other state. High property taxes are one result.

TAGS: local government consolidation

Illinois lawmakers get 26 seconds per page to read 2025 budget

By Patrick Andriesen

05/20/2025

Illinois state lawmakers must be super speed readers, because who would vote on something they hadn’t read? They were given an average of 67 seconds per page to read the past nine state budgets, but last year received only 26 seconds per page.

What to expect with 3 more years of Stacy Davis Gates leading Chicago Teachers Union

By Mailee Smith

05/19/2025

Stacy Davis Gates and her slate of progressive Chicago Teachers Union leaders won reelection on May 16. Illinoisans can expect the union to pursue more money, more power and more radical policies during her continued tenure as union president.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Watch out: Illinois lawmakers may still spike pensions this session

By LyLena Estabine

05/19/2025

Illinois lawmakers could still pass expensive changes to newer state worker pensions using a “gut and replace” maneuver. The proposal would cost taxpayers over $76 billion by 2050.

TAGS: pension spiking

Illinois

No degree? No problem. Chicago expanding access to work

Only 4 states tax services by default, but Illinois may join them

Vallas: Pritzker for president? Check that Illinois baggage.

Pritzker preps for presidential run carrying weight of Illinois failures

Illinois’ opaque budget process drives mismanagement, harms taxpayers

Housing won’t be affordable until Illinois starts building more units

Too much local government makes Illinois inefficient, raises property taxes

Illinois lawmakers get 26 seconds per page to read 2025 budget

What to expect with 3 more years of Stacy Davis Gates leading Chicago Teachers Union

Watch out: Illinois lawmakers may still spike pensions this session

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