Pensions eat up $11.6B of Illinois’ budget

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

04/02/2024

Despite taking up 20% of the state’s general funds and $11.6 billion in total, experts said lawmakers still underpaid the five statewide government retirement plans.

Pritzker wants to spend record amount but needs $898M in tax hikes to do it

By Bryce Hill

03/01/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s record-setting $52.7 billion 2025 spending plan needs massive tax increases. Tax changes will hurt individuals, businesses and local governments.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Cook County pension ‘fix’ could cost Illinois billions, fail to fund retirements

By Justin Carlson

05/02/2023

The proposal by state Sen. Robert Martwick is intended to fix a technical problem with the Tier 2 pension system, but Martwick said he doesn’t know how much it could cost taxpayers. He said it could be “billions.”

Illinois reports most identity theft complaints per capita in 2021

By Patrick Andriesen

12/07/2021

A WalletHub study found Illinois had more identity theft per person than anywhere else in the nation. It overall ranked as the 6th most vulnerable state to identity theft and fraud.

TAGS: COVID-19, identity theft, Illinois

Remaining Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment

By Patrick Andriesen

09/22/2021

More than 18 months after Illinois Department of Employment Security offices closed their doors to Illinoisans, all state job centers have reopened for in-person assistance. Job seekers need an appointment, though.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Illinois unemployment accounts repeatedly hijacked by thieves

By Patrick Andriesen

08/06/2021

Unemployment benefits are being stolen by thieves who redirect the funds. Repeat victims say the problem is within Illinois Department of Employment Security computers, but the state won’t release data to pinpoint the problem.

Thousands of Illinoisans await calls from state unemployment agency

By Brad Weisenstein, Patrick Andriesen

05/07/2021

The Illinois Department of Employment Security had a backlog of 156K calls in February. Now, over a year into the pandemic, its offices remain closed to the public and 43K Illinoisans are still awaiting a call from IDES.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois, JB Pritzker

Feds use ‘fair tax’ methods, but Pritzker doesn’t like results

By Bryce Hill

03/24/2021

Despite pushing hard for a progressive state income tax, Gov. J.B. Pritzker criticized the impact of the same policy at the national level for what it means for Illinois.

TAGS: federal government, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax

What DuPage County voters need to know for early or mail-in voting before April 6

By Patrick Andriesen

03/22/2021

DuPage County voters have calendar dates to watch if they are voting early or by mail ahead of the April 6 election. Here’s what they need to know.

TAGS: DuPage County, early voting, election, vote-by-mail

What to know about voting early or by mail before April 6 in Cook County

By Patrick Andriesen

03/16/2021

Cook County voters have calendar dates to watch if they are voting early or by mail ahead of the April 6 election. Here’s what they need to know.

TAGS: Cook County, early voting, election, vote-by-mail

Social Security

Pensions eat up $11.6B of Illinois’ budget

Pritzker wants to spend record amount but needs $898M in tax hikes to do it

Cook County pension ‘fix’ could cost Illinois billions, fail to fund retirements

Illinois reports most identity theft complaints per capita in 2021

Remaining Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment

Illinois unemployment accounts repeatedly hijacked by thieves

Thousands of Illinoisans await calls from state unemployment agency

Feds use ‘fair tax’ methods, but Pritzker doesn’t like results

What DuPage County voters need to know for early or mail-in voting before April 6

What to know about voting early or by mail before April 6 in Cook County

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