Illinois to lose 1 seat in U.S. Congress, new Census shows

By Brad Weisenstein

04/26/2021

Illinois’ decade of population loss, with last year being the worst loss of people since World War II, will cost is one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Some thought the new Census would cost Illinois two seats in Congress.

TAGS: outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Congress

Pritzker adds another phase before getting Illinois to full reopening

By Patrick Andriesen

03/19/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his public health chief decided their five-phase plan to lift COVID-19 restrictions needed another phase. The new phase calls for more places to open after more older residents are vaccinated, but with mask mandates.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, reopen, restrictions

How COVID-19 is throwing Illinoisans’ next choices for Congress in doubt

By Joe Tabor

02/23/2021

Because of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau will not have the data for states’ political redistricting until the end of September. Illinois faces problems likely to land any political maps in court.

TAGS: COVID-19, legislative map, U.S. Congress

Illinois fireworks ban costing the state jobs, money, independence

06/30/2020

Independence Day turns many Illinoisans into scofflaws as they ignore rules banning most fireworks. The outdated laws mainly serve fireworks stands in border states.

TAGS: fireworks ban, Independence Day, regulations

Illinois state workers receive $1,300 pay raises July 1

By Mailee Smith

06/29/2020

State workers represented by AFSCME Council 31 will see pay increases averaging $1,343 starting July 1. Total cost of the raises is $261 million as COVID-19 continues depleting state revenues.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, coronavirus, COVID-19, JB Pritzker

Automatic state worker pay hikes, gas tax hike coming to Illinois July 1

By Brad Weisenstein

06/25/2020

How fair is it that some of the highest-paid state employees in the nation are getting a raise that must be funded by an economically wounded bunch of taxpayers?

TAGS: COVID-19, gas tax, government unions, lawmaker pay, unemployment

5 reasons why Illinois’ latest spending plan insults taxpayers

By Adam Schuster

05/29/2020

Lawmakers made no serious attempt to balance the new budget, instead counting on a federal bailout. They accepted an $1,800 raise for themselves, while only making significant cuts to education.

TAGS: budget, government spending, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, special session

Despite economic crisis, Pritzker won’t consider postponing $261 million in state raises

By Mailee Smith

04/24/2020

With more than 755,000 Illinoisans out of work, state employees are still scheduled to get their automatic raises. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is treating those raises as non-negotiable. Governors in other states would disagree.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, state worker pay

Illinois scheduled to give $261M in automatic pay raises to state workers

By Mailee Smith

04/13/2020

Pritzker should join other Democratic governors in postponing automatic pay raises, which would free up funds for needy Illinoisans and potentially preserve state worker jobs in the long run.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, coronavirus, COVID-19, pensions, public sector, state worker pay

Every Illinois metro area loses population for second year in a row

By Bryce Hill

03/27/2020

New census data reveals that for a second year, all 10 metro areas based primarily in Illinois experienced population decline.

TAGS: outmigration, population, tax burden, tax hikes, U.S. Census Bureau

Pennsylvania

Illinois to lose 1 seat in U.S. Congress, new Census shows

Pritzker adds another phase before getting Illinois to full reopening

How COVID-19 is throwing Illinoisans’ next choices for Congress in doubt

Illinois fireworks ban costing the state jobs, money, independence

Illinois state workers receive $1,300 pay raises July 1

Automatic state worker pay hikes, gas tax hike coming to Illinois July 1

5 reasons why Illinois’ latest spending plan insults taxpayers

Despite economic crisis, Pritzker won’t consider postponing $261 million in state raises

Illinois scheduled to give $261M in automatic pay raises to state workers

Every Illinois metro area loses population for second year in a row

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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