Kit Kat, Twix cost less because Halloween treat taxes are tricky in Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

10/17/2023

A spooky statute in Illinois says sweets made with flour aren’t candy. Halloween shoppers can dodge Illinois’ higher candy tax by checking ingredients.

Illinois cannabis buyers pay 89% more than U.S. average

By Patrick Andriesen

08/29/2023

The new report published by Headset found Illinoisans are paying 89% more for the average cannabis item than the rest of the nation. Researchers attribute the high prices to stifled competition.

TAGS: marijuana

Illinois recovered pandemic-era job losses in July – a year later than the rest of the country

By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson

08/17/2023

The state finally surpassed January 2020 job levels after 37 states had already done so, including all of Illinois’ neighbors except Michigan.

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

By John Tillman

07/04/2023

We too often call it the “Fourth of July” and lose sight of its true meaning – independence. Independence from tyranny and the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.

TAGS: freedom, Illinois, Independence Day

California considers misleading labor amendment modeled after Illinois’ Amendment 1

By Mailee Smith

06/13/2023

Illinois labor leaders claimed their push to enshrine public union supremacy in the Illinois Constitution was the “blueprint” for other states. Now both California and Pennsylvania are following Illinois’ lead.

TAGS: Amendment 1

Pennsylvania unions push misleading labor amendment modeled after Illinois’ Amendment 1

By Mailee Smith

05/04/2023

Pennsylvania’s House Bill 950 is worded exactly like Illinois’ Amendment 1. Illinois labor leaders recently claimed Illinois’ amendment is the “blueprint” for other states, such as Pennsylvania.

Pritzker calls for campaign finance reform after spending $323M on campaigns

By Dylan Sharkey

05/01/2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker told Harvard students self-financing political campaigns isn’t the answer, calling for campaign finance reform. Pritzker self-financed both of his gubernatorial campaigns for a total of $323 million.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

04/06/2023

No other state’s constitution or labor laws are like Illinois’ – broadly allowing government unions to override statutes simply by negotiating contrary provisions into collective bargaining agreements. Illinois may not be alone for long.

Illinois job growth among worst in U.S. during Pritzker’s first term

By Justin Carlson

03/22/2023

All 11 major industries in Illinois were among the worst in the nation for job growth from January 2019 to January 2023, with each of them ranking in the bottom half in the nation.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois’ population shrinks for 9th straight year

By Bryce Hill

12/23/2022

Record outmigration in 2022 pushed Illinois’ population change into the red for the 9th straight year, the second-longest streak in the nation, the Census Bureau reported.

TAGS: Illinois, population

Michigan

Kit Kat, Twix cost less because Halloween treat taxes are tricky in Illinois

Illinois cannabis buyers pay 89% more than U.S. average

Illinois recovered pandemic-era job losses in July – a year later than the rest of the country

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

California considers misleading labor amendment modeled after Illinois’ Amendment 1

Pennsylvania unions push misleading labor amendment modeled after Illinois’ Amendment 1

Pritzker calls for campaign finance reform after spending $323M on campaigns

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

Illinois job growth among worst in U.S. during Pritzker’s first term

Illinois’ population shrinks for 9th straight year

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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