Illinois might pay for Bears’ stadium – if they have winning seasons

By Dylan Sharkey

03/13/2025

A new bill in Springfield would require the Chicago Bears and other teams to have a few winning seasons before they can expect taxpayer help for stadiums.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago Bears, taxes

5 bills to push back against Illinois’ culture of political corruption

By Joe Tabor

03/13/2025

Legislation in the Illinois House would empower inspectors general, restrict lobbying by elected leaders, add protections against conflicts of interest and end last-minute amendments to legislation.

TAGS: corruption, Mike Madigan

Chicago area gets over 96K international migrants in 2024; 238K since 2020

By Bryce Hill

03/12/2025

Chicagoland’s population has been boosted by international migrants in recent years. But 347,000 residents left for other states since April 2020.

TAGS: outmigration, population, property taxes

64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024

By Bryce Hill

03/12/2025

While Illinois’ total population grew slightly last year, many areas of the state experienced population decline. People moved out of state from half the counties.

TAGS: outmigration, population, taxes

Figure out if there’s a problem before boosting Illinois pensions

By LyLena Estabine

03/11/2025

Without careful evaluation of whether Illinois’ pensions for newer employees are running afoul of federal rules or what the penalties would be, spending $78 million from the state’s budget is premature and wasteful.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, pensions, taxes

Illinois companies announce 1,666 mass layoffs in February

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/11/2025

Illinois companies announced 1,666 mass layoffs in February, with more than 4-in-5 impacting workers in Cook County. Schaumburg alone accounted for one-third of job losses.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

How to vote in your April 1 election

By Dylan Sharkey

03/11/2025

Groceries, schools and public safety are all affected by local elections taking place April 1. Here’s what to know.

TAGS: Election Day, Illinois voting, property taxes

Illinois craft distillers face tough future without changes to liquor law

By FJ Hilgart

03/10/2025

Liquor regulations written at the end of Prohibition are strangling Illinois’ craft distillers. A new bill is trying to change that.

TAGS: jobs, liquor laws, small business

Report: Illinoisans pay nation’s highest combined state, local taxes

By Patrick Andriesen

03/07/2025

Illinois families will pay the highest combined state and local tax burden in the nation this year on the median U.S. income. That’s $13,099, which will consume more than 16.5% of their money.

Illinois lawmakers attack parents’ constitutional rights

By Mailee Smith

03/06/2025

House Bill 2827 would require all Illinois private schools to report personal information about students to local and state authorities – a prime example of Illinois government overreach and an infringement of parents’ constitutional rights.

Illinois

Illinois might pay for Bears’ stadium – if they have winning seasons

5 bills to push back against Illinois’ culture of political corruption

Chicago area gets over 96K international migrants in 2024; 238K since 2020

64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024

Figure out if there’s a problem before boosting Illinois pensions

Illinois companies announce 1,666 mass layoffs in February

How to vote in your April 1 election

Illinois craft distillers face tough future without changes to liquor law

Report: Illinoisans pay nation’s highest combined state, local taxes

Illinois lawmakers attack parents’ constitutional rights

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