Illinois’ emergency reserves lowest in nation

By Bryce Hill

03/06/2025

Illinois is dead last of the 50 states in its ability to handle a financial crisis. It couldn’t last a month. The rainy-day fund that should be its primary reserve, and that Gov. J.B. Pritzker lauded himself for refilling, could barely cover two weeks.

Pritzker’s $1.5B wish for cash quickly vanishes

By Bryce Hill

03/06/2025

The latest forecast from the Illinois General Assembly estimates Illinois will have $737 million to $1.2 billion less in revenue than Gov. J.B. Pritzker hopes to spend.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Every 9 minutes, 21 seconds, Illinois loses another resident

By Bryce Hill

03/06/2025

Illinois continues to lose residents to other states. Another Illinoisan left every 9 minutes and 21 seconds from July 2023 to June 2024.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Parents would see what children are learning under school transparency bills

By Dylan Sharkey

03/06/2025

Illinois schools would be required to share curriculum materials with parents under a pair of bills in Springfield. State Rep. Amy Grant’s House Bill 3806 and state Sen. Andrew Chesney’s Senate Bill 2080 require school materials be made available to parents.

TAGS: public schools

Pritzker pushes $13B pension benefit hike in his budget

By Bryce Hill

03/06/2025

Newer state employees would get a $13 billion pension benefit boost if Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal passes. What should be a minor fix is being used to create an even bigger Illinois pension mess.

TAGS: budget, Illinois, JB Pritzker

Chicago mayor adds 50 speed cameras to put $11.4M in his budget

By Patrick Andriesen

03/05/2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to add 50 new speed cameras to city streets during the coming year to add $11.4 million from fines and fees to his deficit budget.

Half of states let cities declare bankruptcy. Here’s why Illinois might want to.

By Lilly Rossi

03/05/2025

Illinois has some of the highest property taxes in the country. Chapter 9 would allow local governments to address the root cause.

How the April 1 elections can help fix Illinois’ property taxes

By Dylan Sharkey

03/05/2025

More than 600,000 Illinoisans will have a chance to send a message to state leaders on the most daunting issues, including Illinois’ property taxes.

Illinois is Midwest’s biggest people loser

By Bryce Hill

03/05/2025

Most neighboring states are gaining residents from people moving across state lines. Even of the states losing people, Illinois is losing at a significantly faster rate.

Illinois’ So-Called ‘Millionaire Tax’ Makes All Taxpayers a Target

By Matheus Cosso

03/05/2025

The “millionaire tax” will increase Illinois’ tax burden without necessarily increasing public funds. Revenue intended for education may fall short of expectations and will likely be absorbed by school administration before reaching students.

TAGS: millionaire tax

Illinois

Illinois’ emergency reserves lowest in nation

Pritzker’s $1.5B wish for cash quickly vanishes

Every 9 minutes, 21 seconds, Illinois loses another resident

Parents would see what children are learning under school transparency bills

Pritzker pushes $13B pension benefit hike in his budget

Chicago mayor adds 50 speed cameras to put $11.4M in his budget

Half of states let cities declare bankruptcy. Here’s why Illinois might want to.

How the April 1 elections can help fix Illinois’ property taxes

Illinois is Midwest’s biggest people loser

Illinois’ So-Called ‘Millionaire Tax’ Makes All Taxpayers a Target

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