7 things to know about public charter school laws in Illinois

By Hannah Schmid

09/18/2026

Charter schools are intended to offer families more options in the public school system, but Illinois law often restricts and undermines the autonomy with which they were designed.

Thanks to gerrymandering, over 90% of recently passed bills in Illinois were sponsored by one party 

By Lilly Rossi

07/31/2026

Partisan politics is a big player in the Illinois Capitol. The state needs real redistricting reform to increase competition, expand representation and strengthen accountability.

Harvey needs a way out of its crippling pension debt

By Joe Tabor

10/27/2025

Harvey became the second city in 35 years to ask the state to step in under Illinois’ Financially Distressed City Law. It won’t address the main issue: growing pension liabilities.

Illinois law still says unpaid property taxes can rob you of home equity

By Cameron Jasper, LyLena Estabine

08/12/2025

Across Illinois, homeowners are losing their homes and all their equity over minor tax debts, with private investors reaping the profits. Illinois is one of the remaining states hasn’t reformed this unconstitutional practice.

When GOP gets just 14% of state legislation, Illinois has a legislative map problem

By Joe Tabor, Lilly Rossi

06/20/2025

6,745 bills were filed in the Illinois General Assembly this session, but only a small fraction passed both houses. Of those, 86% were introduced by Democrats. That big disparity is rooted in Democrats drawing legislative districts that shrink opposition.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker

Why is taking a selfie with your ballot illegal in Illinois?

By Dylan Sharkey

03/25/2025

Sharing your civic duty on Instagram or Facebook could mean jail time. Snapping a picture with your ballot and sharing it is a felony in Illinois.

Bill introduced to again try for progressive income tax in Illinois

By Bryce Hill

02/17/2025

The Illinois Constitution currently requires income taxes to be imposed at a single, flat rate. A new bill filed in the Illinois General Assembly would allow for income to be taxed at varying rates, making it easier for lawmakers to raise rates.

TAGS: progressive income tax

Illinois lawmakers-turned-lobbyists become big barrier to work

By Larry Han

07/18/2024

Lawmaker to lobbyist is a well-worn path at the Illinois Statehouse. But the new job of some former state lawmakers is to get their former colleagues to make it harder for their former constituents to work.

Vallas: Mayor Johnson’s 1st year delivers the mayhem he promised

By Paul Vallas

05/14/2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson hits the one-year mark May 15, showing voters he is exactly who he said he was. That’s turning out to be bad for Chicago. Here’s how.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Report: Illinois tax-credit scholarship students see largest year-over-year learning gains

By Hannah Schmid

03/05/2024

The Illinois State Board of Education released a late, flawed report on the Invest in Kids scholarship program. Despite comparing apples to oranges, the report shows the Invest in Kids program worked for low-income kids.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

United States House Committee on Rules

7 things to know about public charter school laws in Illinois

Thanks to gerrymandering, over 90% of recently passed bills in Illinois were sponsored by one party

Harvey needs a way out of its crippling pension debt

Illinois law still says unpaid property taxes can rob you of home equity

When GOP gets just 14% of state legislation, Illinois has a legislative map problem

Why is taking a selfie with your ballot illegal in Illinois?

Bill introduced to again try for progressive income tax in Illinois

Illinois lawmakers-turned-lobbyists become big barrier to work

Vallas: Mayor Johnson’s 1st year delivers the mayhem he promised

Report: Illinois tax-credit scholarship students see largest year-over-year learning gains

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