All Illinois metro areas see populations drop in 2020

By Bryce Hill

05/20/2021

Each of Illinois’ metropolitan areas got smaller from July 2019-July 2020, census estimates showed.

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

Illinois loses 1 seat in Congress, but Republicans may lose 2

By Patrick Andriesen

05/19/2021

A proposed map for new U.S. House districts in Illinois has been making the rounds in Springfield. Republicans stand to lose a lot.

TAGS: Illinois, legislative district, legislative map, redistricting, U.S. Congress

‘Transparency’ on Illinois legislative maps begins behind closed doors

05/07/2021

Democratic state lawmakers were given a private look at new Illinois House district maps. Partisan legislative maps and gerrymandering seem to be surviving ‘transparency.’

TAGS: Chris Welch, fair maps, JB Pritzker, legislative district, transparency

Illinois teachers unions push bill for new health rules on all in-person schooling

By Amy Korte

04/29/2021

Legislation backed by teachers unions would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to create regulations before in-person instruction would be allowed at all public, private and parochial schools. State control would replace local control.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, reopen, teachers union

Pritzker breaks promise to end Illinois gerrymandering

By Brad Weisenstein

04/28/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised on the campaign trail and repeatedly after that, including earlier this year, to end partisan gerrymandering of political maps. Now he says, ‘Nevermind.’ He trusts lawmakers.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, JB Pritzker

Illinois’ unemployment pain hits all regions as recovery lags Midwest

By Bryce Hill

04/22/2021

Illinois’ unemployment rate remains the highest in the Midwest despite March jobs growth. Unemployment is high across the state compared to the region.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, recession, restrictions, unemployment

Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities

By Mailee Smith

04/21/2021

Both police reform advocates and law enforcement supporters face the same serious obstacle in Illinois: police union contracts include provisions protecting officers from discipline. Those contracts carry more weight than state law.

Illinois’ economy recovering, but continues to lag rest of Midwest

By Bryce Hill

04/16/2021

Illinois’ unemployment rate remains the highest in the Midwest despite March jobs growth

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

Two Illinois border states revoke governors’ mask mandates

By Laura Bianchi

04/08/2021

High courts in Wisconsin and Michigan have both ruled governors cannot repeatedly issue disaster declarations as a basis for mask mandates and other orders without legislative approval. A year into the pandemic, Illinois’ governor is still doing it.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, lockdown, Michigan, reopen, Wisconsin

Biden corporate tax plan would push Illinois rates to No. 5

04/02/2021

Combine the corporate tax rate President Joe Biden wants to fund his infrastructure plan with Illinois’ tax, and the resulting rate would be 35.4% – fifth highest in the nation and second in the Midwest.

TAGS: corporate income tax, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, Joe Biden, small business

Republican Party

All Illinois metro areas see populations drop in 2020

Illinois loses 1 seat in Congress, but Republicans may lose 2

‘Transparency’ on Illinois legislative maps begins behind closed doors

Illinois teachers unions push bill for new health rules on all in-person schooling

Pritzker breaks promise to end Illinois gerrymandering

Illinois’ unemployment pain hits all regions as recovery lags Midwest

Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities

Illinois’ economy recovering, but continues to lag rest of Midwest

Two Illinois border states revoke governors’ mask mandates

Biden corporate tax plan would push Illinois rates to No. 5

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