Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families
Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families
Kiplinger report finds Illinois’ sales, income and property taxes on middle-income families rank among the highest in the nation, making prospective residents think twice about moving to the state.
By Patrick Andriesen
Women driving Illinois’ labor market recovery
Women driving Illinois’ labor market recovery
Illinois’ labor market has heated up, gaining 40,900 jobs in October. It was the largest increase in 2021 as women, especially minority women, returned to work
By Orphe Divounguy
Food stamps put Thanksgiving on more Illinois tables
Food stamps put Thanksgiving on more Illinois tables
Illinoisans are more likely to give thanks that their Thanksgiving meal was purchased with food stamps than in any surrounding state. As the national participation declines, SNAP in Illinois has grown.
By Dylan Sharkey
Statewide COVID-19 school mandates draw ire of superintendents
Statewide COVID-19 school mandates draw ire of superintendents
A group of school district superintendents called on the Illinois State Board of Education to oppose statewide mask and other mandates, letting local schools decide how best to handle COVID-19 mitigation.
By Patrick Andriesen
Equating parents with terrorists leads Illinois Association of School Boards to quit U.S. group
Equating parents with terrorists leads Illinois Association of School Boards to quit U.S. group
The Illinois Association of School Boards is among 15 state boards to terminate their National School Boards Association membership after the national group sent a letter to President Biden asking that upset parent be monitored as domestic terrorists.
By Patrick Andriesen
Crestwood mayor resigns, pleads guilty to red-light camera bribery
Crestwood mayor resigns, pleads guilty to red-light camera bribery
Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta pleaded guilty to bribery, lying to federal authorities and tax charges as part of a pay-to-play red-light camera scheme. The cameras took $1 billion from Illinois drivers in a decade.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois highways come with high costs, poor conditions, report finds
Illinois highways come with high costs, poor conditions, report finds
Taxpayers pay too much for the rough conditions they find on Illinois roads, according to a report by the Reason Foundation. Bad pavement and too much congestion come with upkeep costs that are among the highest in the U.S.
By Patrick Andriesen
Two Black women small business owners thrive despite pandemic in Illinois
Two Black women small business owners thrive despite pandemic in Illinois
Two groups most hurt by pandemic closures, women and Black Illinoisans, have been the quickest to turn to owning small businesses as a way to recover from the COVID-19 economic downturn.
Expect higher gas prices, more drivers this Thanksgiving in Illinois
Expect higher gas prices, more drivers this Thanksgiving in Illinois
AAA’s Thanksgiving travel forecast predicts national driving rates will rebound to near pre-pandemic levels this holiday. For Illinoisans visiting family in the coming weeks, that trip will be cheaper if they can fill up out of state.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago teacher sees firsthand what union values: it isn’t students
Chicago teacher sees firsthand what union values: it isn’t students
Allowing teachers unions to hold students and homeowners hostage is not the norm.
Brian Harty
Brian Harty
“Freedom of expression is not a priority of the union.”
Illinois elections board gives state leader’s campaign a pass for $225K spent on cars
Illinois elections board gives state leader’s campaign a pass for $225K spent on cars
A former state lawmaker’s campaign committee was not aware it couldn’t spend $225,109 on personal vehicles, according to Illinois State Board of Elections members. That lawmaker now oversees public spending for the state.
By Dylan Sharkey