Pensions eat up $11.6B of Illinois’ budget

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

04/02/2024

Despite taking up 20% of the state’s general funds and $11.6 billion in total, experts said lawmakers still underpaid the five statewide government retirement plans.

March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year

By Dylan Sharkey

03/27/2024

Illinoisans are expected to again bet big on college sports during March, driven by March Madness. Sports wagers put $1B into Illinois government accounts last year, ranking it No. 3 in the U.S.

TAGS: March Madness

Editorial: Data can build understanding, help solve Chicago’s crime problem

By Hilary Gowins

03/27/2024

Violent crime in Chicago increased by 11.5% in 2023, but the city’s arrest rate dropped compared with 2022.

10 Illinois metro areas add jobs in February, 5 await pandemic recovery

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/22/2024

10 of the 13 Illinois metro areas added jobs from January 2024 to February 2024, led by the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area. Five still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic.

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/22/2024

Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd worst in the nation in February 2024 after a decline in the number of jobs statewide during the past 12 months. Illinois continues to lag the nation and all its neighbors in job growth.

Report: $1.4B more needed from taxpayers for Illinois universities

By Patrick Andriesen

03/19/2024

A commission reported $1.4 billion is needed from taxpayers as soon as 2035 to fix the state funding drop at Illinois public universities. Instead, they should be pushing for pension reform.

Illinois’ rural counties shrink fastest in 2023

By Bryce Hill

03/18/2024

While Cook County experienced the largest decline, less-populous Illinois counties were losing people at the fastest rate last year.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Every Illinois metro area lost people in 2023; Chicago 3rd worst in nation

By Bryce Hill

03/15/2024

Illinois’ population decline crisis has now spread to every major metropolitan area in the state. Chicago continued losing residents in 2023.

Cook County 2nd-worst in U.S. as 87 of 102 Illinois counties lose population

By Bryce Hill

03/14/2024

Illinois’ population decline crisis continues to affect virtually all counties despite fewer losses in 2023. Cook County saw nation’s second-highest number of residents moving out.

Johnson’s ‘Bring Chicago Home’ tax hike could fund Chicago Teachers Union’s contract demands

By Dylan Sharkey

03/13/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union is pushing Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate tax hike with cash and by taking students out of school to vote. The heavy push is understandable when CTU mentions the tax hike as a revenue source for their contract demands.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, real estate transfer tax

Illinois

Pensions eat up $11.6B of Illinois’ budget

March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year

Editorial: Data can build understanding, help solve Chicago’s crime problem

10 Illinois metro areas add jobs in February, 5 await pandemic recovery

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation

Report: $1.4B more needed from taxpayers for Illinois universities

Illinois’ rural counties shrink fastest in 2023

Every Illinois metro area lost people in 2023; Chicago 3rd worst in nation

Cook County 2nd-worst in U.S. as 87 of 102 Illinois counties lose population

Johnson’s ‘Bring Chicago Home’ tax hike could fund Chicago Teachers Union’s contract demands

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