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

Over 1M Illinois families to get federal help with Thanksgiving

By Patrick Andriesen

11/25/2024

Over 1 million Illinois families will put turkey on the table this Thanksgiving with the help of federal food assistance, including more than half of the households in Pulaski and Alexander counties.

TAGS: food stamps

Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

By Patrick Andriesen

11/01/2024

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in July 2024. One-quarter of county offices reported more than 1-in-5 residents received food help.

TAGS: SNAP

Food assistance rises, with nearly 2M Illinoisans getting benefits in June

By Patrick Andriesen

10/04/2024

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or nearly 1 in 6 – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in June 2024. The number of Illinoisans needing federal help with groceries was the highest since September 2023.

TAGS: SNAP

SAFE-T Act Year 1: Fewer Cook County defendants detained, downstate Illinois adjusts

By Joe Tabor, Patrick Andriesen

09/17/2024

Sept. 18 marks Illinois’ first anniversary of being the first state to end cash bail. The predicted disaster was averted. Cook County saw significant improvements. Still, changes to the SAFE-T Act could improve public safety, remain fair to defendants.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Nearly 2M Illinoisans receive federal food assistance in May

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

08/29/2024

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or nearly 1-in-6 state residents – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in May 2024. Illinois ranked No. 9 in the nation for highest rate of federal food help.

TAGS: SNAP

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans get food benefits, up 13.5% since 2019

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

08/08/2024

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 state residents – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in March 2024. Alexander and Pulaski counties led the state with 34% of residents receiving SNAP benefits.

TAGS: food stamps, SNAP

Chicago students score lower, fewer graduate, fewer go to college

By Hannah Schmid

06/07/2023

The graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates in Chicago were below the statewide average in 2022. Reading and math SAT scores were also below the Illinois average. Other large districts in Cook and the collar counties performed better.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

How to protect your vote from fraud in Illinois

By Hannah Schmid

03/16/2023

Illinois voters can join the growing ranks of registered voters who have applied for permanent vote-by-mail status to ensure they never miss another election and their vote cannot be stolen.

TAGS: Chicago voting, Illinois voting, mail-in ballot, vote-by-mail

What are the facts about voting by mail in Illinois?

By Hannah Schmid

03/16/2023

Applications are open for registered voters to apply to vote by mail in the upcoming April 4 local elections.

TAGS: Chicago election, city of chicago, local elections, vote-by-mail

McHenry County

Food assistance need grows 12% in Illinois since 2019

Over 1M Illinois families to get federal help with Thanksgiving

Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

Food assistance rises, with nearly 2M Illinoisans getting benefits in June

SAFE-T Act Year 1: Fewer Cook County defendants detained, downstate Illinois adjusts

Nearly 2M Illinoisans receive federal food assistance in May

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans get food benefits, up 13.5% since 2019

Chicago students score lower, fewer graduate, fewer go to college

How to protect your vote from fraud in Illinois

What are the facts about voting by mail in Illinois?

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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