Survey: Illinois 2nd in U.S. for residents leaving
	Survey: Illinois 2nd in U.S. for residents leaving
	
		Illinois is the second-most popular state to leave based on a survey of movers by United Van Lines. Illinois has also experienced nine straight years of population loss. 	
				
			By Dylan Sharkey
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois state senator pushing progressive tax voters rejected
	Illinois state senator pushing progressive tax voters rejected
	
		An Illinois state senator is reviving an effort to change Illinois’ income tax structure from a flat tax, even though voters soundly defeated the change in 2020. Expect higher taxes, retirement taxes if he gets his way.	
				
			By Dylan Sharkey
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		How to vote in the 2023 Chicago election
	How to vote in the 2023 Chicago election
	
		Late January is the start of voting for the Feb. 28 Chicago municipal elections for early, in-person voting and for those who’ve requested mail-in ballots. Here’s your guide to voting in Chicago for mayor, alderman and other city offices.	
				
			By Hannah Schmid
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		State lawmaker incomes grow at double rate of Illinoisans’ incomes
	State lawmaker incomes grow at double rate of Illinoisans’ incomes
	
		State lawmakers have voted to increase their salaries by more than $17,000 during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration, far outpacing growth in their constituent’s incomes. 	
				
			By Bryce Hill
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois lawmaker pay 4th-highest in U.S. after Pritzker OKs $12,000 raises
	Illinois lawmaker pay 4th-highest in U.S. after Pritzker OKs $12,000 raises
	
		State lawmaker pay has increased by more than $17,000 during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. State representatives and senators make the most for jobs considered less than full time, 4th in U.S. overall.	
				
			By Bryce Hill
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Record number of Illinois voters cast ballot by mail in 2022 midterms
	Record number of Illinois voters cast ballot by mail in 2022 midterms
	
		Illinois’ 2022 general election saw the second-highest voter turnout in a midterm year of the past quarter century, with more than half of registered residents casting a ballot. Vote by mail participation increased 67% over 2018.  	
				
			By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		2022 midterms show mail voting spreads rapidly across Illinois
	2022 midterms show mail voting spreads rapidly across Illinois
	
		Over 742,000 Illinoisans voted by mail in November, 67% more than the previous midterm. While many Northern Illinois counties saw record voter participation, Cook County reported its lowest turnout in 25 years.  	
				
			By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Chicago Public Schools spends 55% more on 20% fewer students since 2010
	Chicago Public Schools spends 55% more on 20% fewer students since 2010
	
		Over 87,000 students have left Chicago Public Schools and student proficiency rates have dropped since the militant Caucus of Rank and File Educators took over the Chicago Teachers Union in 2010. All that, and 55% higher costs.	
				
			By Hannah Schmid
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois House bill would give more power to Chicago Public Schools unions
	Illinois House bill would give more power to Chicago Public Schools unions
	
		The Chicago Teachers Union has already created havoc for kids and parents in Chicago Public Schools, with 5 work stoppages in the past 11 years. Now lawmakers are giving principals and other employees union powers, creating more potential instability for students and parents.	
				
			By Mailee Smith
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Will Pritzker’s 2nd term bring more tax hikes, emergency orders?
	Will Pritzker’s 2nd term bring more tax hikes, emergency orders?
	
		Illinois has reached the four-year mark with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. What do the past four years tell Illinoisans about what to expect in his second term? 	
				
			By Dylan Sharkey
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Pritzker issues 38th COVID-19 emergency order
	Pritzker issues 38th COVID-19 emergency order
	
		Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended his COVID-19 emergency powers into his second term. Illinois is 1 of only 9 states still claiming disaster status as a result of COVID-19.	
				
			By Dylan Sharkey
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Pritzker signs bill giving $12K pay raises to state lawmakers
	Pritzker signs bill giving $12K pay raises to state lawmakers
	
		Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved raises for the statewide elected leaders just ahead of their inaugurations Jan. 9. State lawmakers will get $12,094 raises when they take office Jan. 11. Big hikes also went to Pritzker’s department leaders and their assistants.	
				
			By Brad Weisenstein
		
	 
	
	
		
		
		
		
		Illinois sports betting tops $1B, ranks 3rd in nation
	Illinois sports betting tops $1B, ranks 3rd in nation
	
		October 2022 set a record high for sports betting in Illinois: over $1 billion in wagers, which was the third-highest state tally in the U.S. 	
				
			By Dylan Sharkey