Bill would limit cell phone use in classrooms

By Benjamin Hines

03/24/2026

The measure would prohibit most student cell phone use in class. Illinois is one of only nine states with no state law governing cell phone use in schools.

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

By Josh Bandoch, Lauren Zuar

06/03/2025

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

Chicago drivers face lower speed limit, more cameras after $28M fine drop

By Patrick Andriesen

12/10/2024

Chicago speed cameras sent drivers $28 million less in tickets through September than during the first nine months of 2023. Annual revenues could spike again under proposals to drop the citywide speed limit or boost the number of cameras.

TAGS: Chicago

1M Chicago speed camera tickets fail to stop record traffic deaths

By Patrick Andriesen

07/18/2022

Chicago reported more traffic deaths in the first six months of 2022 than in any year since 2017, despite speed cameras issuing over 1 million tickets – as many tickets as Chicago has households. Two-thirds of the fines were for speeding 6-10 mph.

TAGS: Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, speed cameras, ticketing

Chicago teacher strike threat grows as elementary students miss return

By Brad Weisenstein

02/01/2021

With an agreement close but the Chicago Teachers Union refusing to budge, elementary students missed what was to be their first day back in 10 months. Now the fourth strike in nine years is imminent.

TAGS: COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike

Pritzker’s plastic bag tax is all about green paper

By Austin Berg

03/28/2019

Those pushing the bag tax in Illinois may not care much about the body of research on this topic. They’re looking out for a different kind of green. In a scramble for new revenue and an unwillingness to take on any reform on the spending side, the Statehouse has turned to creative ways to nickel-and-dime residents.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, plastic bag tax, plastic bags, taxes

Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers

By Adam Schuster

06/14/2018

It is time to give taxpayers and businesses the certainty they need to plan a long-term future in the state.

The ‘magic’ of Metra: Higher costs, lower service

By Chris Lentino

12/19/2017

Costs for Metra's administrative workers, including managers, lawyers, accountants and IT specialists went up 54 percent over the last five years.

TAGS: Metra, transportation

Endurance: A lesson from generations of American patriots for Illinoisans today

By John Tillman

05/16/2016

Those fighting in Springfield for a better future for Illinois should look to past generations of Americans who stayed the course through long and difficult battles for liberty.

Illinois to allow trained ex-offenders to apply for barbering and cosmetology licenses before they leave prison

By Bryant Jackson-Green

04/12/2016

By allowing offenders to submit applications for barbering licenses within six months before release from prison, Illinois will reduce wait times for licensing – and reduce the likelihood those ex-offenders will return to crime. But more reforms are needed.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, occupational licensing

United Kingdom

Bill would limit cell phone use in classrooms

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Chicago drivers face lower speed limit, more cameras after $28M fine drop

1M Chicago speed camera tickets fail to stop record traffic deaths

Chicago teacher strike threat grows as elementary students miss return

Pritzker’s plastic bag tax is all about green paper

Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers

The ‘magic’ of Metra: Higher costs, lower service

Endurance: A lesson from generations of American patriots for Illinoisans today

Illinois to allow trained ex-offenders to apply for barbering and cosmetology licenses before they leave prison

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