How many new businesses does your Illinois county have?

By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg

07/19/2024

New business applications in Illinois are up 47% compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019, but what does growth in your county look like?

Chicago’s affordable housing crisis can be fixed without tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra

07/18/2024

Chicago housing affordability is among the lowest in the Midwest, driven primarily by restrictive land-use policies and slow approvals. Low-income families have it worse than in other large Midwestern cities.

TAGS: housing

Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today

By Paul Vallas

07/18/2024

Independence Day weekend was bloody in Chicago. City leaders are doing little other than pointing fingers. Here are 10 things Chicagoans should know about the current crime problem.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Illinois lawmakers-turned-lobbyists become big barrier to work

By Larry Han

07/18/2024

Lawmaker to lobbyist is a well-worn path at the Illinois Statehouse. But the new job of some former state lawmakers is to get their former colleagues to make it harder for their former constituents to work.

How to get your Illinois driver’s license on your phone

By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg

07/18/2024

Legislation allowing Illinois residents to carry a digital driver’s license or ID on their smartphone will take effect in 2025.

TAGS: drivers license, identification

The Policy Shop: How government costs us affordable housing

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/17/2024

Government in Illinois has a lot to do with why housing costs are so high. Zoning and land-use reforms can boost the supply of affordable housing without forcing taxpayers to subsidize it.

TAGS: affordable housing, regulations

Apprenticeships offer economic opportunity for Illinoisans

By Chris Coffey

07/10/2024

College degrees are just one potential path to prosperity. Apprenticeships are a viable alternative Illinois’ education system should embrace.

How much does your town make from marijuana tax?

By Kurtis Karg

07/10/2024

Cannabis tax revenue is stalling statewide in Illinois, but communities still see a tax benefit. See how much your town took in during the past 12 months.

TAGS: cannabis, tax

Chicago, Evanston leaders push for noncitizens to vote in local elections

By Chris Coffey

07/09/2024

The surge of migrants to Chicago and Illinois has made noncitizen voting rights an issue. Chicago and Evanston leaders wanted noncitizens to vote in local elections. Illinois Senators wanted to prevent them from voting. Neither side has secured any changes.

TAGS: elections

Can noncitizens vote in Illinois? Depends on the election

By Chris Coffey

07/09/2024

The influx of migrants to Chicago and Illinois presents a potential voting bloc ahead of the 2024 election. Some politicians have tried to get them the vote. Others have tried to prevent it.

TAGS: election

Illinois

How many new businesses does your Illinois county have?

Chicago’s affordable housing crisis can be fixed without tax hikes

Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today

Illinois lawmakers-turned-lobbyists become big barrier to work

How to get your Illinois driver’s license on your phone

The Policy Shop: How government costs us affordable housing

Apprenticeships offer economic opportunity for Illinoisans

How much does your town make from marijuana tax?

Chicago, Evanston leaders push for noncitizens to vote in local elections

Can noncitizens vote in Illinois? Depends on the election

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