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 placed 38th nationally for social mobility. Its rank was pulled down by economic problems and corruption in its legal system.
Illinois lawmakers propose a Tier 2 pension expansion that adds costly sweeteners, despite struggling to keep up with current obligations.
Illinoisans pay the third-highest gas taxes in the nation at nearly $0.85 per gallon. California leads and Michigan edged into the No. 2 spot.
Violent crime in Chicago fell to more than a decade low in 2025. It dropped across 88% of the city’s neighborhoods as arrests rose.
The Illinois Constitution stops politicians from imposing progressive taxation, which would give them power to progressively tax everyone more.
Illinois toll rates are about to increase as a political favor to construction unions. That’s despite a $3 billion surplus in the road fund.
At least 28 states have already said they plan to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program to let donors provide extra academic help to their students.
The federal language is clear: All K-12 students in public, private, charter or homeschool programs are eligible for donated funds if they meet income limits.
Quincy, Illinois, may reduce parking minimums, allow duplexes and update zoning rules to reduce the housing shortage and improve affordability.
Chicago’s Roseland community is solving crime and poverty through a formula developed by the Hope Center: mentors, jobs and a home.
Illinois’ unemployment continued a long-term trend of remaining higher than the national rate as 2025 ends with lost jobs as the nation gained.