Waste watch: Illinois grants $4M to private theaters

By Jack Knorr

01/21/2026

Illinois lawmakers gave money to venues for plays, concerts and weddings – without explaining why private concerns deserved public money.

Waste watch: Illinois gives $12M to NASCAR

By Geoff Feinstein

01/06/2026

Illinois’ opaque budget process handed $12 million to NASCAR. Fast and furious is no way to treat taxpayers’ money.

Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships mostly go to Black, Hispanic students

By Mailee Smith

10/23/2023

Low-income students from across Illinois receive Invest in Kids scholarships, with the majority going to Black and Hispanic students.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Survey: Illinois 2nd in U.S. for residents leaving

By Dylan Sharkey

01/18/2023

Illinois is the second-most popular state to leave based on a survey of movers by United Van Lines. Illinois has also experienced nine straight years of population loss.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration

Parents push to expand Illinois’ Invest in Kids school choice program

By Dylan Sharkey

11/18/2022

Illinois state lawmakers are hearing from parents who want to see the Invest in Kids program expanded. Giving families a choice about their schools can boost student achievement.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, school choice

How school choice helped a Joliet student escape public school bullying

03/28/2022

When her son’s public school couldn’t stop the bullying, this Joliet mom took an administrator’s taunt about switching schools to heart. Illinois’ Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships have let them choose a private school despite COVID-19 hurting family finances.

TAGS: Illinois, Invest in Kids, school choice

Invest in Kids scholarships help single moms get kids through tough times

02/09/2022

Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program for low-income families helped these three single moms and their children. Education during COVID-19 is failing low-income students, but the program can help if state lawmakers back bills to save and expand it.

TAGS: Illinois, Invest in Kids, school choice

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

How to expand success of Illinois’ tax credit scholarships

By Dylan Sharkey

01/14/2022

The Invest in Kids scholarship tax credit program helps low-income families pay for private schools. Making the program permanent and expanding it would help more students attend schools that best fit their needs.

TAGS: Illinois, Invest in Kids, school choice

Chicago Sky standout’s rise started with scholarship to private school

By Brad Weisenstein

10/19/2021

Allie Quigley’s team just brought Chicago the WNBA championship, but her success story started with someone donating a scholarship that let her and her siblings attend private school. The result: lessons that built a champion.

TAGS: Chicago Sky, Illinois, Invest in Kids, school choice

Joliet

Waste watch: Illinois grants $4M to private theaters

Waste watch: Illinois gives $12M to NASCAR

Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships mostly go to Black, Hispanic students

Survey: Illinois 2nd in U.S. for residents leaving

Parents push to expand Illinois’ Invest in Kids school choice program

How school choice helped a Joliet student escape public school bullying

Invest in Kids scholarships help single moms get kids through tough times

Illinois teachers push back on COVID-19 vax mandate

How to expand success of Illinois’ tax credit scholarships

Chicago Sky standout’s rise started with scholarship to private school

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