Unemployment rates remain high across Illinois metro areas

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

08/29/2024

Despite Illinois’ job market outpacing the national average, all 15 metro areas continue to have higher unemployment rates than the national average.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Chicago Teachers Union is a lobbying powerhouse in Springfield, but is that waning?

By Mailee Smith

08/29/2024

It may be based in Chicago, but the Chicago Teachers Union’s lobbying affects residents throughout Illinois. The Illinois General Assembly did CTU’s bidding on 60% of the bills on which the union took a stance last session. CTU discontent is growing.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Highland could be first Illinois city to add a local grocery tax

By Dylan Sharkey

08/28/2024

Illinois’ statewide grocery tax is on its way out, but your local government may add its own. Highland, Illinois, could be the first to do so.

TAGS: grocery tax

Black and Hispanic students thrive in school model Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate

By Hannah Schmid

08/27/2024

Black and Hispanic students are around six times more likely to be proficient in reading at selective enrollment high schools compared to traditional public schools in Chicago. But the Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate these schools that are a lifeline to the city’s minority students.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

River Forest considering local grocery tax hike

By Dylan Sharkey

08/26/2024

Illinois is cutting the statewide grocery tax, but some local governments may reestablish it. One Chicago suburb is already moving in that direction. Its neighbor will let taxpayers keep their grocery money.

TAGS: grocery tax

Voter choice wins in slating case before Illinois Supreme Court

By Dylan Sharkey

08/23/2024

Illinois lawmakers changed the rules about placing candidates on the ballot in the middle of an election cycle. A judge said they can’t do that and the Illinois Supreme Court dropped the state’s appeal. Now voters will have more choices Nov. 5.

TAGS: Illinois Supreme Court

Pritzker sends another $250K in taxpayer money to group pushing more taxes

By Dylan Sharkey

08/23/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget includes $250,000 for a group advocating for increased government spending and higher taxes. He gave the group money last year, too.

TAGS: CTBA: Center for Budget and Tax Accountability, JB Pritzker

Grocery bills have increased by nearly $3,000 in just 4 years

By Ravi Mishra

08/22/2024

Consumers have been hammered with inflation on groceries during the past four years. Illinois was heading in the right direction by eliminating the tax on them, but now communities are faced with either imposing a new grocery tax or losing the money.

TAGS: grocery tax

Johnson hides 8 Chicago homeless camps from Democratic delegates

By Patrick Andriesen

08/20/2024

While Mayor Brandon Johnson has denied clearing Chicago’s homeless encampments had anything to do with the Democratic National Convention, his administration has said otherwise. Even his allies suspect a double standard.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, DNC: Democratic National Convention

What to know about Illinois education as students head back to school

By Hannah Schmid

08/20/2024

Students in Illinois are steadily returning to class across Illinois’ 852 school districts, where improvement is needed on the 35% of elementary students who can read at grade level. What to know about how well the state’s public schools are preparing students for life.

TAGS: public schools

Illinois

Unemployment rates remain high across Illinois metro areas

Chicago Teachers Union is a lobbying powerhouse in Springfield, but is that waning?

Highland could be first Illinois city to add a local grocery tax

Black and Hispanic students thrive in school model Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate

River Forest considering local grocery tax hike

Voter choice wins in slating case before Illinois Supreme Court

Pritzker sends another $250K in taxpayer money to group pushing more taxes

Grocery bills have increased by nearly $3,000 in just 4 years

Johnson hides 8 Chicago homeless camps from Democratic delegates

What to know about Illinois education as students head back to school

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