Record-high Illinois university workers opt-out of pensions

By LyLena Estabine

03/10/2026

A record share of Illinois university employees opt-out of pensions for a 401(k)-style plan, lawmakers should give other state employees the same flexibility.

Illinois must keep promise to join nursing group or risk millions

By Joe Tabor

02/05/2026

To get part of $50 billion for a federal health program, Illinois promised to join nurse licensure and physician assistant compacts. Will state lawmakers keep that promise?

Illinois halts federal tax credits intended to boost business

By Ravi Mishra

11/20/2025

Illinois state lawmakers are severing new federal business tax cuts. Their quest to keep more cash will cost the state in business competitiveness.

Housing gets boost by easing parking lot mandates near transit

By LyLena Estabine

11/13/2025

The Illinois General Assembly just eliminated parking minimums for developments near transit hubs. That flexibility should boost housing.

Illinois checks, balances? Not under Pritzker

By Lilly Rossi

10/13/2025

As veto session begins and power goes back to the Democratic majority state legislature, the consequences of a single-party state are more evident than ever.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

More than 3-in-4 Illinois lawmakers get money from Illinois Federation of Teachers

By Mailee Smith

09/25/2025

The Illinois Federation of Teachers has poured more than $11 million into state lawmakers’ campaigns. Lawmakers then did IFT’s bidding on more than 2-in-5 bills in 2025, with what they wanted often hurting students’ and parents’ best interests.

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Chicago Teachers Union continued its tyranny over statewide legislation in 2025

By Mailee Smith

08/27/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union had an opinion on everything from immigration to rental fees during the Illinois General Assembly’s regular session. Lawmakers did what the union wanted on nearly 1-in-3 bills.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois lawmakers churn through 31K pages of bills on last day of session

By Lilly Rossi

08/13/2025

Illinois General Assembly members filed 31,011 pages of amendments to bills in the last 24 hours of the 2025 regular session. Truly understanding what they were deciding would require reading 22 pages per minute.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

16 missed chances for state lawmakers to help out Illinoisans

By Joe Tabor

07/08/2025

Out of almost 7,000 bills filed, the Illinois General Assembly passed a little over 400. Some were good. Some were bad. Here are 16 bills that would have improved life in the state had they passed.

Illinois lawmakers worry about paper coupons, death carpets, stickers, beauty sleep

By Lilly Rossi

07/07/2025

What pressing issues did the Illinois General Assembly consider among 6,745 bills this past session? They pondered a sticker commission, “end-of-life” carpets, paper grocery coupons, 15-year-old voters and their own beauty sleep.

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

United States Senate

Record-high Illinois university workers opt-out of pensions

Illinois must keep promise to join nursing group or risk millions

Illinois halts federal tax credits intended to boost business

Housing gets boost by easing parking lot mandates near transit

Illinois checks, balances? Not under Pritzker

More than 3-in-4 Illinois lawmakers get money from Illinois Federation of Teachers

Chicago Teachers Union continued its tyranny over statewide legislation in 2025

Illinois lawmakers churn through 31K pages of bills on last day of session

16 missed chances for state lawmakers to help out Illinoisans

Illinois lawmakers worry about paper coupons, death carpets, stickers, beauty sleep

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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