Information sector bright spot as Illinois job market remains sluggish

By Josh Bandoch, Jon Josko

09/19/2025

Illinois showed slow job growth as the state trailed national trends. Unemployment was at 4.4% in August, slightly above the national rate

Can your family get federal school choice grants? Likely, if Pritzker OKs

By Tom Viz, Jon Josko

09/05/2025

Use our calculator to see if your family is eligible to receive a school choice grant from the Educational Choice for Children Act. Then, sign the petition to tell Gov. J.B. Pritzker to let Illinois join the federal program.

Report: Illinois lags neighbors in school choice after killing scholarships

By Tom Viz

08/28/2025

Illinois is among the few states to offer no private school choice scholarships after killing its Invest in Kids tax-credit program in 2023. The new federal Educational Choice for Children Act would again give Illinois families access to educational options.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, school choice

Expect busy Chicago roads, high Illinois gas prices during Labor Day travel

By Brad Weisenstein

08/26/2025

AAA named Chicago a top domestic travel spot for Labor Day. It also said Illinois has some of the nation’s highest gas prices. Thank Illinois taxes for the extra dings at the pump.

Illinois forms businesses at one of lowest rates in Midwest

By Bryce Hill

08/12/2025

Despite leading the region in businesses applying to open, Illinois’ combative business climate results in few business actually starting.

Illinois ranks 17th for best state to live in: hurt by economy, affordability

By Jerry Barmore

08/11/2025

A new ranking of the best states to live in puts Illinois at No. 17. It could have scored much better, but the state economy ranked near the bottom of the nation. Quality of life ranked near the top.

Vallas: Pritzker works on national profile as Illinoisans tire of him

By Paul Vallas

08/11/2025

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is burnishing his national image as a Democratic presidential candidate by inserting himself in the Texas redistricting controversy. But Illinoisans are growing tired of Pritzker and taxation, pushing his favorability rating into the negative.

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.

Indiana

Information sector bright spot as Illinois job market remains sluggish

Can your family get federal school choice grants? Likely, if Pritzker OKs

Report: Illinois lags neighbors in school choice after killing scholarships

Expect busy Chicago roads, high Illinois gas prices during Labor Day travel

Illinois forms businesses at one of lowest rates in Midwest

Illinois ranks 17th for best state to live in: hurt by economy, affordability

Vallas: Pritzker works on national profile as Illinoisans tire of him

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

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