Illinois’ comeback story starts here.
Allan Luzbetak has lived in the Lockport, Illinois area for decades; but concerns over rising property taxes could push him out of the state as he enters retirement. He explains his disappointment with community leaders’ approach to spending, and why it tempts so many people in situations like his to leave the state. “I’ve lived...
“A bill like this also meets a huge need economically. I have taught so many African-American women who were able to take this craft of hair braiding and make an honest living for themselves and for their families."
In the April 2024 municipal elections, Kane County leaders proposed a $51 million retail tax hike. A grassroots citizens group called Kane County Speaks campaigned against the measure. Not only did they defeat it, they inspired the highest voter turnout the county had seen for a municipal election in decades. Here’s how they did it...
“When I was 17, I was in a gang. On the first day of my senior year, I got in a confrontation with a rival gang that started chasing me. A friend of mine saw this and fired at them and hit an innocent bystander.” “By the theory of accountability, I was convicted of first-degree...
“The truth is, I had always had a good educational upbringing, and a good family. But the allure of the streets just got me at an early age and it led me down a wrong path.” “While I was incarcerated, I went back to those educational roots. I poured myself into rehabilitating myself and becoming...
“Our decision to homeschool was really birthed out of necessity. My oldest was struggling in the public school system. He has autism spectrum disorder and in middle school he started to face severe bullying and started to have negative self-talk.” “We knew he needed a change. We thought we’d try homeschooling just for one year,...
“As a mother, teacher and support for homeschooling families, this overactive government intervention pains my heart.”
“Illinois is the only state to lose a school choice program rather than expand one. If we can turn that around at the federal level, it would be a huge win for students in the state."
Tell us how a state or local policy affects your life. If we decide to feature your story, one of our writers will reach out to you directly.