Illinois already has most extreme labor laws in U.S.

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

11/04/2022

Illinois law already allows some government union contracts to override state law. Amendment 1 would allow all government union contracts to do so.

TAGS: Amendment 1, labor, unions, workers rights amendment

Illinois to legalize internet gambling, executives predict

By Patrick Andriesen

09/27/2022

A new report predicts legalized internet gambling would generate $273.3 million a year in new revenue for Illinois. A safer bet for Illinois’ state workers would be constitutional pension reform.

TAGS: Chicago, gambling

First-year Illinois housing costs up more than $12,717 since 2019

By Bryce Hill

08/14/2022

Rising prices and mortgage rates are making housing unaffordable for a growing number of Illinoisans. A property tax increase on the Nov. 8 ballot could make it worse.

TAGS: homeownership, property taxes

Illinois still missing 1 in 7 jobs lost during pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/01/2022

With the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest and 117,000 jobs still missing, Illinois’ labor market is among the least recovered in the region.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economic recovery, employment, job creation, jobs

Illinois leads the nation in foreclosures in 2022

By Bryce Hill

07/29/2022

Illinois homeowners are most likely in the nation to be in foreclosure. The looming $2,100 property tax hike from Amendment 1 would make housing even more unaffordable.

TAGS: Amendment 1, foreclosure, housing market, Illinois

High Illinois gas taxes drive residents across state line

05/27/2022

For Illinois border resident Brett Retherford and his neighbors, high Illinois fuel taxes drive them to buy their gasoline in Iowa. Illinois politicians’ heavy demands lose them hoped-for taxes when drivers have a choice.

TAGS: gas tax, Illinois

Neighbor states pursue real tax reform as Pritzker offers election-year gimmicks

By Justin Carlson

05/03/2022

While Illinois settles for Pritzker’s temporary relief that mostly expires after the November election, its neighbor states are making long-term changes to help grow their economies.

TAGS: Illinois, Midwest, taxes

Illinois’ state, local tax burden highest in Midwest after 2nd-largest increase in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

04/11/2022

The effective state and local tax burden in Illinois has risen from 11.2% in 2019 to 12.9% in 2022. It is now the nation’s seventh highest.

TAGS: Illinois, tax burden

Pritzker appeals to Illinois Supreme Court after two courts derail his school mask mandate

By Brad Weisenstein

02/18/2022

A judge’s ruling threw Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s school mask mandate into chaos. Now that an appellate court has ruled against Pritzker, too, he’s taking his fight to keep masks on students to the Illinois Supreme Court.

TAGS: Illinois Supreme Court, JB Pritzker, mask mandate

Illinois last in Midwest to lift statewide mask mandate

By Patrick Andriesen

02/14/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker will end the statewide indoor mask mandate for most Illinoisans Feb. 28, joining the 39 other states who have already lifted COVID-19 restrictions on residents. Illinois will be the only state in the Midwest still mandating masks in schools at the state level.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, mask mandate

Iowa

Illinois already has most extreme labor laws in U.S.

Illinois to legalize internet gambling, executives predict

First-year Illinois housing costs up more than $12,717 since 2019

Illinois still missing 1 in 7 jobs lost during pandemic

Illinois leads the nation in foreclosures in 2022

High Illinois gas taxes drive residents across state line

Neighbor states pursue real tax reform as Pritzker offers election-year gimmicks

Illinois’ state, local tax burden highest in Midwest after 2nd-largest increase in U.S.

Pritzker appeals to Illinois Supreme Court after two courts derail his school mask mandate

Illinois last in Midwest to lift statewide mask mandate

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students