Pritzker extends indoor mask mandate through Feb. 28, keeps students masked

By Patrick Andriesen

02/09/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is keeping Illinois’ indoor mask mandate in place through Feb. 28. Schools statewide will be required to keep students and staff masked.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, mask mandate

California, Connecticut drop mask mandates as Pritzker fights to keep control

By Dylan Sharkey

02/08/2022

Gov. J.B Pritzker is appealing a state court ruling striking down Illinois’ mask mandate in schools. His appeal and his 24th emergency declaration come as California and Connecticut join a growing list of states loosening their restrictions.

Pritzker proposes gas tax freeze after doubling gas tax

By Patrick Andriesen

02/07/2022

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed a delay in the automatic state gas tax hikes he ushered in when he doubled the tax. The election-year temporary relief should become a permanent repeal.

Pritzker claims $1.7B surplus while his budget shows $1.5B deficit

By Adam Schuster

02/02/2022

Despite claims during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s speech, his budget documents show a flood of federal COVID-19 aid temporarily shrank Illinois’ deficit but failed to balance its budget. His next budget will not end well.

TAGS: budget, deficit, JB Pritzker

Pritzker pitches $1B in temporary tax cuts after $5.4B in permanent tax hikes

By Patrick Andriesen

02/01/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to unveil $1 billion in temporary tax cuts on groceries, property taxes and gas bills in his new budget. It all goes away just months after he seeks reelection Nov. 8, changing little.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, State of the State, taxes

Pritzker vetoes COVID-19 sick leave for school workers, says only vaccinated deserve it

By Dylan Sharkey

01/25/2022

Gov. J.B Pritzker vetoed a bill guaranteeing sick leave for school and college employees related to COVID-19. He said he would rather sign a bill reserving compensation for employees fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, public schools, sick leave, vaccines

Secretary of State Offices reopen as Omicron peak subsides, statewide mitigations mount

By Patrick Andriesen

01/24/2022

Secretary of State Jesse White said the offices will reopen over the next two days as drivers’ facilities resume in-person services after the Omicron peak. Governor offers no such assurances about lifting mitigations in the state.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois Secretary of State, Omicron

Illinois teachers push back on COVID-19 vax mandate

By Dylan Sharkey

01/21/2022

Illinois teachers currently face mandated COVID-19 testing if unvaccinated. The Illinois State Board of Education might remove that option depending on whether it follows Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandate or a high court decision.

TAGS: ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, public schools, vaccine mandate

Pritzker seeks end to hiring oversight as watchdog details more patronage

By Dylan Sharkey

01/17/2022

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker argues his state agencies no longer need a federal minder to ensure hiring is not political. That federal watchdog has four recent examples of why state hiring still needs oversight.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, Shakman decrees

Illinois has been subject to Pritzker’s emergency powers for nearly 22 months. Where does this power come from?

By Joe Tabor

01/06/2022

Illinois’ emergency management statute grants the governor broad powers to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the General Assembly has shown no interest in amending it.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker

JB Pritzker

Pritzker extends indoor mask mandate through Feb. 28, keeps students masked

California, Connecticut drop mask mandates as Pritzker fights to keep control

Pritzker proposes gas tax freeze after doubling gas tax

Pritzker claims $1.7B surplus while his budget shows $1.5B deficit

Pritzker pitches $1B in temporary tax cuts after $5.4B in permanent tax hikes

Pritzker vetoes COVID-19 sick leave for school workers, says only vaccinated deserve it

Secretary of State Offices reopen as Omicron peak subsides, statewide mitigations mount

Illinois teachers push back on COVID-19 vax mandate

Pritzker seeks end to hiring oversight as watchdog details more patronage

Illinois has been subject to Pritzker’s emergency powers for nearly 22 months. Where does this power come from?

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