7 things to know about public charter school laws in Illinois

By Hannah Schmid

09/18/2026

Charter schools are intended to offer families more options in the public school system, but Illinois law often restricts and undermines the autonomy with which they were designed.

Illinois lawmakers making $128K for 70 days of work

By Dylan Sharkey, Charlotte Rotkis

07/17/2025

While Illinois families face one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates, the nation’s highest property taxes and the highest state and local tax burden, state lawmakers just gave themselves another raise. They get $128,000 for 70 days of work.

TAGS: lawmaker pay

Illinois lawmakers get $4,250 raise just months after $12,000 raise

By Justin Carlson

06/29/2023

Illinois state lawmakers had tried to bump their pay by 5.5%, but that violated the state constitution. The must settle for 5%, meaning they will make nearly $90,000 a year.

‘Ballot selfies’ are a felony in Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

03/23/2023

Voters wanting to show their Election Day pride should be careful. Sharing a voting-booth selfie on social media is a felony in Illinois.

TAGS: Chicago, election

State lawmaker incomes grow at double rate of Illinoisans’ incomes

By Bryce Hill

01/17/2023

State lawmakers have voted to increase their salaries by more than $17,000 during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration, far outpacing growth in their constituent’s incomes.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

Illinois lawmaker pay 4th-highest in U.S. after Pritzker OKs $12,000 raises

By Bryce Hill

01/13/2023

State lawmaker pay has increased by more than $17,000 during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. State representatives and senators make the most for jobs considered less than full time, 4th in U.S. overall.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois

By Joe Tabor, Aimee Morrissey

08/11/2022

Illinois can draw from other states’ experiences to solve its own gerrymandering problem. One solid solution is as close as Michigan.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, Illinois

Illinois voters got just 1 proposed constitutional amendment on ballot in 52 years

By Joe Tabor

05/19/2022

During the past decade, state lawmakers have asked to change the Illinois Constitution six times while voters have failed to get any changes on the ballot. In 52 years, Illinoisans have only gotten one amendment question before voters. That needs to change.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Constitution

Illinois lawmakers increase salaries to 4th highest in U.S.

By Patrick Andriesen

04/20/2022

Springfield lawmakers will be the fourth-highest paid legislators in the nation after giving themselves a $2,700 raise in the 2023 state budget. Lawmakers’ salaries have increased 8% since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office.

TAGS: Illinois, lawmaker pay

National Conference of State Legislatures

7 things to know about public charter school laws in Illinois

Illinois lawmakers making $128K for 70 days of work

Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities

Illinois lawmakers get $4,250 raise just months after $12,000 raise

‘Ballot selfies’ are a felony in Illinois

State lawmaker incomes grow at double rate of Illinoisans’ incomes

Illinois lawmaker pay 4th-highest in U.S. after Pritzker OKs $12,000 raises

How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois

Illinois voters got just 1 proposed constitutional amendment on ballot in 52 years

Illinois lawmakers increase salaries to 4th highest in U.S.

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students