Illinois lawmakers pass marijuana legalization

By Vincent Caruso

05/31/2019

A bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois is en route to the highest office in the state.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, expungement, Kelly Cassidy, legalization, licensing, marijuana, regulations

Chicago slaps PlayStation users with expansion of 9 percent amusement tax

11/18/2018

PlayStation users will now see an extra 9 percent tax applied to some purchases on the platform.

TAGS: amusement tax, Chicago, Labell v. City of Chicago, taxes, Toi Hutchinson

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.

Rauner signs bill removing barriers for human trafficking survivors

By Janelle Cammenga

09/04/2018

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law a measure allowing human trafficking survivors to apply to have their criminal records sealed for offences committed under coercion.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, criminal justice reform, human trafficking, Toi Hutchinson

Rauner signs bill allowing medical marijuana alternative for opioid prescriptions

By Vincent Caruso

08/28/2018

The Alternative to Opioids Act will give more Illinoisans the option to treat pain with medical marijuana.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, criminal justice reform, decriminalization, marijuana, opioid, Toi Hutchinson

Rauner signs bill lifting ban on industrial hemp

By Vincent Caruso

08/27/2018

The Industrial Hemp Act will plant the seeds for the growth of commercial hemp production across Illinois.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, hemp, jobs, marijuana, Tim Butler, Toi Hutchinson

Illinois lawmakers pass bill legalizing industrial hemp

By Vincent Caruso

05/31/2018

While state law currently allows for the cultivation of hemp to be overseen by some government bodies, the Industrial Hemp Act would make legal the commercial production of hemp.

TAGS: hemp, Illinois’ Cannabis Control, Toi Hutchinson

Senate bill puts school-choice scholarships at risk for low-income kids

By Brendan Bakala

01/30/2018

The bill would cut off Illinois’ new tax credit scholarship program if the Illinois State Board of Education determined public school funding levels were inadequate.

TAGS: budget, education, Invest in Kids, school choice, vouchers

Land of lagging: Illinois’ sluggish economy and lawmakers’ tax hike treachery

By Orphe Divounguy

01/24/2018

Illinois will not diverge from its path of poor growth until lawmakers realize the failures of recent tax hikes.

TAGS: GDP: gross domestic product, income tax, investment, taxes

Illinoisans saw jobs growth plummet after 2017 tax hike

By Orphe Divounguy, Austin Berg, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

01/22/2018

Illinois' jobs growth trailed that of the nation during the first half of 2017, then slowed to a halt in the wake of the General Assembly's record-breaking tax hike.

TAGS: income tax, jobs, property taxes, taxes, unemployment

Toi Hutchinson

Illinois lawmakers pass marijuana legalization

Chicago slaps PlayStation users with expansion of 9 percent amusement tax

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

Rauner signs bill removing barriers for human trafficking survivors

Rauner signs bill allowing medical marijuana alternative for opioid prescriptions

Rauner signs bill lifting ban on industrial hemp

Illinois lawmakers pass bill legalizing industrial hemp

Senate bill puts school-choice scholarships at risk for low-income kids

Land of lagging: Illinois’ sluggish economy and lawmakers’ tax hike treachery

Illinoisans saw jobs growth plummet after 2017 tax hike

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