Illinois sales taxes 7th highest in U.S.

By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg

09/10/2024

Illinois’ combined state and average local sales tax is the seventh highest in the nation. It is the highest among the most populous states.

TAGS: sales tax

Here’s what to know about Chicago’s 31 school board candidates

By Patrick Andriesen

09/10/2024

Chicago voters will pick from 31 candidates for 10 school board seats. The Chicago Teachers Union is trying to expand its political power by pushing a candidate in each of the 10 districts.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

4 new occupational licensing laws remove barriers in Illinois

By Joe Tabor

09/05/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently OK’d four new laws that would expand the ability for professionals to practice in Illinois. While they are advancements, Illinois’ onerous occupational licensing system needs comprehensive reform.

TAGS: occupational licensing

2 new Illinois property taxes laws fail to offer taxpayers real relief

By Joe Tabor

09/05/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently approved two laws intended to spur change in the way property taxes work in Illinois. They are old ideas that will provide more show than relief.

TAGS: property taxes

Government red tape pushes up housing costs for Illinois families

By Ravi Mishra

09/05/2024

Illinois lags other states on approvals for new housing. It has one of the lowest rates for housing approvals in the United States. That drives up costs.

TAGS: affordable housing

Chicago Teachers Union invests nearly $1.8M, but 2-in-5 are lawmakers from outside Chicago

By Mailee Smith

09/05/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union is more political machine than labor union, putting nearly $1.8 million into the campaigns of 84 of 177 current lawmakers since 2010. But it may be losing its hold on Springfield.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

1,190 Illinois jobs shed in July, with Deere leading for 2nd month

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

09/04/2024

The Quad Cities will experience a combined 319 job cuts after John Deere announced layoffs at both its World Headquarters in Moline and Harvester Works factory in East Moline. Romeoville saw more than 1-in-4 of the mass layoffs statewide.

TAGS: jobs

Vallas: Biggest obstacle to improving city schools is Chicago Teachers Union

By Paul Vallas

09/04/2024

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates decried standardized testing. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said schools should be measured by spending, not performance. ‘Accountability’ is not in their vocabulary.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois bans mini shampoo bottles in hotel rooms

By Dylan Sharkey

09/03/2024

Tiny hotel toiletries will soon be outlawed in Illinois. A new law will make Illinois hotels ditch small plastic bottles for shampoo and other care products.

No current teachers voted to make Chicago Teachers Union their union

By Mailee Smith

08/30/2024

Chicago teachers were handed a union without the ability to choose for themselves. It’s the result of a system that props up government unions at the expense of the members they are supposed to serve.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois

Illinois sales taxes 7th highest in U.S.

Here’s what to know about Chicago’s 31 school board candidates

4 new occupational licensing laws remove barriers in Illinois

2 new Illinois property taxes laws fail to offer taxpayers real relief

Government red tape pushes up housing costs for Illinois families

Chicago Teachers Union invests nearly $1.8M, but 2-in-5 are lawmakers from outside Chicago

1,190 Illinois jobs shed in July, with Deere leading for 2nd month

Vallas: Biggest obstacle to improving city schools is Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois bans mini shampoo bottles in hotel rooms

No current teachers voted to make Chicago Teachers Union their union

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