Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Ep. 23: An economist’s perspective: How’s Illinois’ economy really doing?

Ep. 23: An economist’s perspective: How’s Illinois’ economy really doing?

Soaring inflation. Slow job creation. Lagging GDP from record population loss. Illinois’ economy is facing several unique factors all at once. Orphe Divounguy joins the Policy Shop to break down the current state of Illinois’ economy and how Illinois becomes a place where businesses, job seekers and homeowners want to invest.

Illinois is only big state to charge a tax on groceries

Illinois is only big state to charge a tax on groceries

Illinois is one of the few states that taxes groceries. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is suggesting a suspension of the 1% grocery tax to help struggling families. Some lawmakers said if Pritzker really wants to help, he needs to end grocery sales taxes.

By Dylan Sharkey

Delaware, New Jersey governors lift mask mandates

Delaware, New Jersey governors lift mask mandates

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he is “hopeful” Illinois could soon drop statewide pandemic protocols after COVID-19 dropped by half. His peers in Delaware, New Jersey and earlier Iowa dropped their mask mandates.

By Patrick Andriesen

Iowa governor ends emergency powers

Iowa governor ends emergency powers

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said after two years of COVID-19 mitigations and a sharp decline in rates, she believes Iowans will make the safe choices without laws forcing them. Pritzker does not share that confidence in Illinoisans.

By Patrick Andriesen

Delia Lopez

Delia Lopez

“I hope that many Latinos come forward and ask a Catholic school, ‘What opportunities are there?’ And when they ask me, ‘Gosh, how do you do it?’ I respond, ‘Ask! Ask the school closest to your home. Go and ask.’"