FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

03/17/2026

Illinois students could soon benefit from scholarship money to help them find a tutor, attend ACT or SAT prep sessions, pay tuition, get special education services or assist with other academic needs. That will happen in Illinois only if Gov. J.B. Pritzker lets the state’s schoolchildren benefit from the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, established...

Above the law: Amendment 1 would let government unions void over 350 Illinois laws

By Mailee Smith, Perry Zhao

04/05/2022

Amendment 1 would allow government unions to nullify hundreds of Illinois statutes – including laws aimed at protecting school children – simply by contradicting them in union contracts.

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.

How Illinois’ collective bargaining rules protect police misconduct

By Mailee Smith

07/14/2020

Illinois students should return to classrooms this fall

By Amy Korte

07/13/2020

Gov. J.B. Pritzker should set the expectation that Illinois schools will welcome students back to campus full-time for the 2020-2021 school year.

TAGS: emergency, executive order, JB Pritzker, K-12, public schools, stay at home order

Special report: Illinois must act now to guard against COVID-19 financial fallout

By Adam Schuster

03/17/2020

Due to its poor financial health and lagging economy, Illinois carries unique economic and fiscal risks from a prolonged market downturn or recession. The state must act now to mitigate harm from COVID-19.

Madigan’s money: AFSCME spending trail reveals extensive and hidden political activity

By Mailee Smith, Joe Tabor

11/01/2018

AFSCME Council 31, its PAC and AFSCME headquarters are major political players, funneling millions of dollars every year to Democrats or self-proclaimed progressive organizations.

Illinoisans could see license suspended for texting while driving under new state law

By Vincent Caruso

08/21/2018

A new state law could result in a suspended license for drivers operating handheld electronic devices while behind the wheel.

TAGS: Cristina Castro, Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, John D’Amico, suspended license, transportation

Budget Solutions 2019: The responsible budget for Illinois

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

02/06/2018

Even after a 32 percent income tax hike, the Illinois General Assembly passed a state budget in 2017 that will generate an estimated $1.5 billion deficit in fiscal year 2018. That deficit is projected to grow to $2.15 billion in fiscal year 2019, according to the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, or GOMB. The...

State, federal lawmakers pave the way for self-driving cars in Illinois

By Amy Korte

09/08/2017

As Illinois’ state government and the federal government move toward promoting the development of autonomous vehicles, Chicago aldermen are taking a combative stance against the budding industry.

TAGS: autonomous vehicles, Bruce Rauner, Chicago, driverless cars, Ed Burke, regulations

The Washington Post

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Above the law: Amendment 1 would let government unions void over 350 Illinois laws

Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities

How Illinois’ collective bargaining rules protect police misconduct

Illinois students should return to classrooms this fall

Special report: Illinois must act now to guard against COVID-19 financial fallout

Madigan’s money: AFSCME spending trail reveals extensive and hidden political activity

Illinoisans could see license suspended for texting while driving under new state law

Budget Solutions 2019: The responsible budget for Illinois

State, federal lawmakers pave the way for self-driving cars in Illinois

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