How many people in your county can’t access SNAP after Nov.1?

By Lauren Zuar

10/31/2025

If the federal government shutdown continues, millions of Illinoisans could lose access to critical food aid after Nov. 1.

Pritzker stands between public school students, academic help

By Hannah Schmid

10/06/2025

If Gov. J.B. Pritzker lets Illinois join the federal scholarship tax credit program, public school students could receive grants for tutoring, books and other academic services.

TAGS: school choice

Food aid feeds almost 2M statewide in May, 1-in-3 in southern counties

By Lauren Zuar

09/12/2025

Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dropped by 3.2% in May. Still, nearly 2 million Illinoisans relied on federal food aid, with participation rates exceeding 30% in some Southern Illinois counties.

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.

Suburban Chicago house tax plan would choke lagging growth

By LyLena Estabine

07/31/2025

The Illinois Senate attempted to pass a “rescue package” for Chicago area mass transit that would punish suburban homeowners with a new real estate transfer tax. State leaders must instead focus on reforms to boost housing and economic growth.

Nearly 2M Illinoisans still need federal food benefits, most in Chicago

By Sachi Gaonkar

07/18/2025

Although enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program declined marginally in April, nearly 2 million Illinoisans still depend on the federal food aid. Illinois’ food insecurity has yet to recover from the pandemic.

TAGS: SNAP

Illinois food assistance dips in January, but still leads region

By Lauren Zuar

05/07/2025

Illinois had a slight decrease in food assistance recipients in January, yet the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation remains higher than it was a decade ago and ahead of neighboring states.

TAGS: SNAP

Despite slight decline, nearly 2M Illinoisans still receive food help

By Lauren Zuar

03/27/2025

Illinois enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program decreased slightly in December, but over 1.9 million residents still received benefits.

TAGS: SNAP

64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024

By Bryce Hill

03/12/2025

While Illinois’ total population grew slightly last year, many areas of the state experienced population decline. People moved out of state from half the counties.

TAGS: outmigration, population, taxes

Food assistance need grows 12% in Illinois since 2019

By Lauren Zuar

02/19/2025

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans, with around half in Cook County, relied on federal food assistance in October 2024, marking a 12% increase in five years.

TAGS: SNAP

McHenry County

How many people in your county can’t access SNAP after Nov.1?

Pritzker stands between public school students, academic help

Food aid feeds almost 2M statewide in May, 1-in-3 in southern counties

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

Suburban Chicago house tax plan would choke lagging growth

Nearly 2M Illinoisans still need federal food benefits, most in Chicago

Illinois food assistance dips in January, but still leads region

Despite slight decline, nearly 2M Illinoisans still receive food help

64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024

Food assistance need grows 12% in Illinois since 2019

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