New bills would help keep state spending in check

By FJ Hilgart

02/25/2025

House Bill 3014 and Senate Bill 1546 would tie Illinois’ spending growth to GDP growth, potentially saving billions of dollars as the state needs to live within its means.

Pritzker’s 2026 budget poses short-term fixes, sneaks in new “tax hike”

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

02/25/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s 2026 budget includes record spending, cuts to economic development and overreliance on short-term revenue tricks—including a cleverly hidden tax hike, leaving significant work for the state to reach financial stability.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois considers repealing business tax responsible for big headaches, little revenue

By Dylan Sharkey, Bryce Hill

02/24/2025

A new bill would repeal an outdated Illinois business tax. The franchise tax is tough to calculate, most businesses don’t owe it and it generates little revenue in a state that already hits businesses hard with other taxes.

Chicago mayor wants to borrow $830M, which could benefit his Chicago Teachers Union cronies

By Dylan Sharkey

02/21/2025

Mayor Brandon Johnson asked to borrow $830 million one day after the city’s credit rating dipping to near-junk status. He would have broad discretion over how to spend the money – including on his friends at the Chicago Teachers Union.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

International migrants boost Illinois, New York, California populations, but don’t expect them to stay

By Bryce Hill

02/20/2025

Illinois and other states with sanctuary cities saw large influxes of international migrants in recent years. But historical data shows the new arrivals may soon move out for the same reasons other residents have.

Illinois gasoline taxes 2nd highest in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

02/20/2025

Illinoisans pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation at more than $0.84 per gallon. Only California charges its drivers more.

TAGS: gas tax

Pritzker’s magic beans: Growing a record-setting $55B Illinois budget

By Bryce Hill

02/19/2025

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker invoked a fairy tale about magic beans and a giant during his annual state of the state and budget address. Too bad he forgot to take an ax to the giant, record-setting budget he has grown by $16.7 billion since taking office.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Food assistance need grows 12% in Illinois since 2019

By Lauren Zuar

02/19/2025

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans, with around half in Cook County, relied on federal food assistance in October 2024, marking a 12% increase in five years.

TAGS: SNAP

Rockford declared hottest housing market in U.S., but low supply is real story

By LyLena Estabine

02/19/2025

Rockford recently made headlines as the nation’s hottest housing market, but the real story is low supply is driving up prices. Changing zoning laws could spur development that would ease the shortage and prices.

State lawmakers want to spike Illinois’ public pension benefits by $60B

By LyLena Estabine

02/19/2025

Pension experts projected state lawmakers’ plans to drastically expand benefits for newer employees would add $60 billion to the state’s pension liability. Illinois is already $143.7 billion in the pension hole.

Illinois

New bills would help keep state spending in check

Pritzker’s 2026 budget poses short-term fixes, sneaks in new “tax hike”

Illinois considers repealing business tax responsible for big headaches, little revenue

Chicago mayor wants to borrow $830M, which could benefit his Chicago Teachers Union cronies

International migrants boost Illinois, New York, California populations, but don’t expect them to stay

Illinois gasoline taxes 2nd highest in nation

Pritzker’s magic beans: Growing a record-setting $55B Illinois budget

Food assistance need grows 12% in Illinois since 2019

Rockford declared hottest housing market in U.S., but low supply is real story

State lawmakers want to spike Illinois’ public pension benefits by $60B

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