4 things wrong with how Illinois leaders want to change public schooling

By Hannah Schmid

12/12/2024

A report outlining public education reform in Illinois doesn’t address a core issue facing students: reading proficiency. It also lowers standards for students and threatens to muddle the understanding of students’ progress.

TAGS: public schools

More states give parents control over education funds, so why not Illinois?

By Hannah Schmid

04/30/2024

There are 18 private school choice programs called “education savings accounts” in 16 states and growing. But Illinois leaders refuse to let parents decide how their taxes are used to educate their children.

TAGS: education spending

Illinoisans get 2nd gas tax hike of 2023 just before Independence Day

By Dylan Sharkey

06/26/2023

Illinoisans face the second gas tax hike of 2023 on July 1. The 3.1 cent hike doesn’t need lawmaker approval, thanks to state leaders implementing automatic gas tax hikes.

Illinois’ 2nd-highest gas taxes drive motorists, business across state lines

By Patrick Andriesen

04/19/2022

Drivers save 45 cents a gallon on gas by filling up at a station across the state line in Missouri, thanks to Illinois boosting gas taxes to No. 2 in the U.S. Gas station owners said Illinois drivers are filling up in other states.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

New Illinois law forces gas stations to campaign for Pritzker

By Brad Weisenstein

04/19/2022

The content of the signs isn’t quite as important as the message being delivered to Illinois’ gas station owners: “Push our campaign agenda, or we’ll treat you like a criminal and fine you $500 per day.”

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

Masks off by holidays? Pritzker likely taking back his ‘gift’

By Patrick Andriesen

12/03/2021

New COVID-19 cases have surged across Illinois, leading some state leaders to question why the only state east of the Mississippi with a universal mask mandate is seeing worse case rates than those without a mandate.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks

Naperville mayor: ‘It’s time to drop the mask mandate in Illinois’

By Patrick Andriesen

11/24/2021

The mayor of Illinois’ third-largest city, Naperville, said it is time for Illinois to drop its statewide indoor mask mandate. Illinois is the only state east of the Mississippi with an indoor mask mandate regardless of vaccination status.

TAGS: COVID-19, masks, Naperville, Steve Chirico

Full Text: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address

02/17/2021

Delivered virtually Feb. 17, 2021, from the Illinois State Fairgrounds

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, State of the State

Illinois personal income growth 2nd lowest in U.S. since Great Recession

By Bryce Hill

01/09/2020

Only Mississippi has fared worse than Illinois in personal income growth since the Great Recession hit at the end of 2007. Analysis shows state income taxes matter.

TAGS: corporate income tax, flat tax, graduated income tax, Great Recession, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, income, income growth, income tax, JB Pritzker, labor, marginal tax, personal income, population, progressive income tax, recession, Springfield, tax burden

Mississippi River

4 things wrong with how Illinois leaders want to change public schooling

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

More states give parents control over education funds, so why not Illinois?

Illinoisans get 2nd gas tax hike of 2023 just before Independence Day

Illinois’ 2nd-highest gas taxes drive motorists, business across state lines

New Illinois law forces gas stations to campaign for Pritzker

Masks off by holidays? Pritzker likely taking back his ‘gift’

Naperville mayor: ‘It’s time to drop the mask mandate in Illinois’

Full Text: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address

Illinois personal income growth 2nd lowest in U.S. since Great Recession

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