Illinoisans pay highest cellphone taxes in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

12/28/2022

Smartphone owners in Illinois pay the highest taxes in the nation

Shoppers pay 9% sales tax on Christmas gifts in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

12/22/2022

Illinois shoppers will pay an average 8.81% in sales taxes on presents this holiday, the eighth most nationwide. Some Cook County communities will charge up to 11.5%.

TAGS: Illinois, sales tax

Illinois holiday travelers face hike on nation’s No. 2 gas taxes

By Patrick Andriesen

12/16/2022

Plenty of Illinoisans will be on the road this holiday season, with record-high travel across the nation. Filling up for the trip is pricey in Illinois and will get even pricier after Jan. 1.

TAGS: gas tax

State lawmakers debate delaying New Year’s Day gas tax hike

By Dylan Sharkey

11/25/2022

A bill in Springfield proposes delaying the Jan. 1 state gas tax hike. If it fails, drivers will see two gas tax hikes in 2023, expected to take the tax to over 45 cents a gallon.

TAGS: gas tax

Illinois Thanksgiving travelers pay 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

11/23/2022

AAA predicts nearly 55 million people will travel for Thanksgiving this year, only 2% less than Thanksgiving travel in 2019. Illinoisans hitting the road should try to fill up in other states.

TAGS: gas tax, Thanksgiving

Forbes: Illinois 3rd in nation for people leaving

By Dylan Sharkey

11/17/2022

Forbes magazine highlighted Illinois as one of the top states residents are fleeing for more tax-friendly climates.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Report card: How’s Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker done in 4 years?

By Patrick Andriesen, Dylan Sharkey

10/17/2022

A review of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s term in Illinois’ highest office examines his track record beyond the campaign rhetoric. The second and final gubernatorial debate with opponent Darren Bailey is Oct. 18.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August

By Justin Carlson

09/28/2022

The latest job numbers show Illinois continues struggling to recover pandemic job losses, a bad sign for its lagging economy as recession fears rise.

Fact check: Unemployment under Pritzker worse than Midwest, U.S.

By Dylan Sharkey

09/16/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is claiming his administration has fought for Illinois families. Since Pritzker took office, Illinois’ unemployment rate is worse compared to other states.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, unemployment

Illinois ranks No. 2 in nation for small business layoffs

By Patrick Andriesen

09/12/2022

Illinois ranked No. 2 in the nation for number of small businesses planning to lay off employees in the coming months. A majority of entrepreneurs have already put a freeze on new hires. Amendment 1 threatens Illinois’ business climate even more.

TAGS: small business

Midwestern United States

Illinoisans pay highest cellphone taxes in nation

Shoppers pay 9% sales tax on Christmas gifts in Illinois

Illinois holiday travelers face hike on nation’s No. 2 gas taxes

State lawmakers debate delaying New Year’s Day gas tax hike

Illinois Thanksgiving travelers pay 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation

Forbes: Illinois 3rd in nation for people leaving

Report card: How’s Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker done in 4 years?

Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August

Fact check: Unemployment under Pritzker worse than Midwest, U.S.

Illinois ranks No. 2 in nation for small business layoffs

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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