Illinois 3X taxes on Juul, Elf Bar, ZYN products to fund more spending

By Ravi Mishra

07/21/2025

In another short-term revenue move, Illinois lawmakers July 1 turned to vape and other nicotine product tax hikes to allow ever-more spending. Taxes on vape products went from 15% to 45% of the wholesale cost.

TAGS: vaping

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

By John Tillman

07/04/2025

Happy Fourth of July? Nope. We should always call it Independence Day. It reminds us of what we celebrate and what it means.

TAGS: freedom, Independence Day

Illinois moves over $300M out of road fund as infrastructure crumbles

By Ravi Mishra

07/02/2025

Illinois’ latest budget diverts millions in infrastructure funds to cover structural budget deficits despite substandard road conditions.

Fireworks freedom denied: Illinois 1 of only 3 states still saying ‘no’

By Charlotte Rotkis

06/30/2025

While 47 states celebrate freedom with fireworks blazing across the sky, Illinois clings to a 1942 ban that limits autonomy and ignores safety data. Illinois residents cross state lines to partake in fireworks fun, while the state loses revenue and credibility.

TAGS: fireworks ban, Independence Day, taxes

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

By Josh Bandoch, Lauren Zuar

06/03/2025

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

Lawmakers should look outside of Springfield when choosing a fiscal watchdog

By Joe Tabor

05/29/2025

Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino is retiring after a 10-year term of monitoring public spending. The scrutiny his own campaign spending drew should have lawmakers rethink how they choose his replacement.

Scandal recap: Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership of Chicago Teachers Union

By Hannah Schmid

05/12/2025

Chicago Teachers Union members have reason to question the leadership of President Stacy Davis Gates heading into the May 16 union election. Her many scandals have driven down the union’s reputation.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Tier 2 isn’t broken for Illinois’ career workers: expanding choice secures benefits

By LyLena Estabine

04/22/2025

Illinois’ Tier 2 is a great retirement benefit for long-term state workers. But those who don’t spend their careers in government could be better served by the flexibility and portability of a defined contribution plan.

Literacy epidemic hits Illinois as fewer than 1 in 3 students read well

By Hannah Schmid

03/28/2025

Student literacy is in trouble nationally. Illinois is one of 41 states where just 1 in 3 or fewer of its fourth-graders met reading standards in 2024.

TAGS: public schools

Illinois is Midwest’s biggest people loser

By Bryce Hill

03/05/2025

Most neighboring states are gaining residents from people moving across state lines. Even of the states losing people, Illinois is losing at a significantly faster rate.

Indiana

Illinois 3X taxes on Juul, Elf Bar, ZYN products to fund more spending

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

Illinois moves over $300M out of road fund as infrastructure crumbles

Fireworks freedom denied: Illinois 1 of only 3 states still saying ‘no’

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Lawmakers should look outside of Springfield when choosing a fiscal watchdog

Scandal recap: Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership of Chicago Teachers Union

Tier 2 isn’t broken for Illinois’ career workers: expanding choice secures benefits

Literacy epidemic hits Illinois as fewer than 1 in 3 students read well

Illinois is Midwest’s biggest people loser

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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