Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot

By Patrick Andriesen

11/09/2025

Illinois puts lots of restrictions on independent candidates. Just one got on the 2024 ballot in 155 races.

Congressional Democratic leader wants Illinois to super-gerrymander maps

By Dylan Sharkey, Jerry Barmore

09/18/2025

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wants Illinois state lawmakers to redraw congressional district maps to offset Republican gains from mid-decade remapping in Texas. Illinois lawmakers aren’t eager to do it.

Congress wants largest teachers union to pick kids over politics

By Mailee Smith

07/29/2025

A bill in Congress would hold the National Education Association accountable, forcing it to once more put students and educators first or risk losing its special status as a chartered organization.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association

Gerrymandering: Madigan’s legacy of letting politicians choose their voters

By Patrick Andriesen

06/13/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s sentencing to 7.5 years for bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud ends his active role in Illinois politics. But his legacy of gerrymandering will continue to shape Illinois politics long after he’s behind bars.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

U.S. House passes federal school choice program, moves to Senate

By Hannah Schmid

05/28/2025

The Educational Choice for Children Act continues to progress after it was included in the budget reconciliation bill passed by the U.S. House on May 22. It is cause for hope for 15,000 low-income Illinois students who lost their private-school scholarships in 2023.

TAGS: federal government, school choice

Federal school choice program included in U.S. House budget reconciliation bill

By Hannah Schmid

05/16/2025

A federal bill is cause for hope for 15,000 low-income Illinois students who lost their private school scholarships in 2023. That’s when teachers unions got state lawmakers to kill the Invest in Kids program.

TAGS: school choice

Medicaid enrollment, spending soar in Illinois as Congress weighs cuts

By Chris Coffey

03/27/2025

Expansions to Medicaid because of the Affordable Care Act and COVID-19 have increased the program in Illinois as Congress considers potential cuts or work requirements.

Teachers unions to fight nationwide school choice bill after killing option in Illinois

By Hannah Schmid

01/30/2025

The first nationwide school choice bill to pass out of committee in U.S. history was just reintroduced. But teachers unions, which killed Illinois’ school choice program in 2023, oppose giving families education options.

TAGS: school choice, teachers union

How do I register to vote in Illinois?

By Patrick Andriesen

09/19/2024

Registering to vote in Illinois can be confusing. Here is what you need to know to make sure your voice is heard this Election Day.

TAGS: Election Day

How do I vote by mail in Illinois?

By Patrick Andriesen

09/19/2024

Voting by mail allows Illinoisans to cast their ballots in the upcoming election without making a trip to the polls. Here’s what you need to know.

TAGS: vote-by-mail

United States House of Representatives

Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot

Congressional Democratic leader wants Illinois to super-gerrymander maps

Congress wants largest teachers union to pick kids over politics

Gerrymandering: Madigan’s legacy of letting politicians choose their voters

U.S. House passes federal school choice program, moves to Senate

Federal school choice program included in U.S. House budget reconciliation bill

Medicaid enrollment, spending soar in Illinois as Congress weighs cuts

Teachers unions to fight nationwide school choice bill after killing option in Illinois

How do I register to vote in Illinois?

How do I vote by mail in Illinois?

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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