Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

By Patrick Andriesen

11/01/2024

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in July 2024. One-quarter of county offices reported more than 1-in-5 residents received food help.

TAGS: SNAP

Another Illinois town has passed a grocery tax. Is yours next?

By Dylan Sharkey

10/30/2024

Another Illinois town voted to pass a local grocery tax. See how much grocery shoppers in your community could lose if your local leaders also impose the tax.

TAGS: grocery tax

Illinois sales taxes 7th highest in U.S.

By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg

09/10/2024

Illinois’ combined state and average local sales tax is the seventh highest in the nation. It is the highest among the most populous states.

TAGS: sales tax

Highland could be first Illinois city to add a local grocery tax

By Dylan Sharkey

08/28/2024

Illinois’ statewide grocery tax is on its way out, but your local government may add its own. Highland, Illinois, could be the first to do so.

TAGS: grocery tax

River Forest considering local grocery tax hike

By Dylan Sharkey

08/26/2024

Illinois is cutting the statewide grocery tax, but some local governments may reestablish it. One Chicago suburb is already moving in that direction. Its neighbor will let taxpayers keep their grocery money.

TAGS: grocery tax

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

Illinois cities take on more debt to cope with pensions

04/14/2022

Pension deficits are causing communities to consider more borrowing – and gambling with the proceeds – as pensions continue to consume bigger shares of budgets.

TAGS: Illinois, local government, pension obligation bonds

Governor signs Hayli’s Law to protect lemonade stands from Illinois government

07/12/2021

When a child’s lemonade stand was targeted by government regulators, an 11-year-old entrepreneur fought back. Now Illinois law officially bars government from interfering with a child’s right to sell cold summer drinks.

TAGS: Hayli Martenez, Illinois, lemonade stand, regulations

Hayli’s Law would protect lemonade stands from government in Illinois

05/26/2021

When a child’s lemonade stand was targeted by government regulators, the 11-year-old entrepreneur fought back. Now Illinois is about to bar government from interfering with a child’s right to sell cold summer drinks.

TAGS: Hayli Martenez, Illinois, lemonade stand, regulations

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

By Austin Berg

11/11/2019

Government corruption is nothing new for Illinoisans. Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, according to research by the University of Illinois-Chicago. And corruption costs the state economy more than $550 million per year. What is new? Powerful Illinois lawmakers, Chicago aldermen, local mayors and business interests are involved in what appears to be...

River Forest

Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

Another Illinois town has passed a grocery tax. Is yours next?

Illinois sales taxes 7th highest in U.S.

Highland could be first Illinois city to add a local grocery tax

River Forest considering local grocery tax hike

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Illinois cities take on more debt to cope with pensions

Governor signs Hayli’s Law to protect lemonade stands from Illinois government

Hayli’s Law would protect lemonade stands from government in Illinois

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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