State unemployment fraud could cost Illinoisans more than $1 billion
State unemployment fraud could cost Illinoisans more than $1 billion
A recent report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security revealed the state lost at least $14.8 million to fraudsters during the pandemic. But experts warn the full extent of state fraud could be closer to $1 billion.
By Patrick Andriesen
Olivia Waldron
Olivia Waldron
“To continue supporting an organization that was fighting to keep us all out of the school buildings just didn’t make sense to me."
Chicago schools mandating masks regardless of COVID-19 shot status
Chicago schools mandating masks regardless of COVID-19 shot status
Chicago Public Schools will require all students and staff to wear masks inside school buildings this fall. CPS’s mask mandate ignored the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines that advise masking indoors only for unvaccinated people.
By Noah Shaar
Derrick Crenshaw
Derrick Crenshaw
"In my mind a union’s purpose is to negotiate salaries and curriculum, yet my union neglected the students’ best interests."
John L. Hasten
John L. Hasten
“It is the politicians who created the pension problem along with the teacher union bosses.”
Pritzker says Illinois could see more COVID-19 shutdowns
Pritzker says Illinois could see more COVID-19 shutdowns
Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned Illinois could see more shutdowns from COVID-19 after announcing his re-election campaign. He said new restrictions would not repeat preferential treatment of big box retailers over small businesses.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois infrastructure ranks high, but state finances pose big threat
Illinois infrastructure ranks high, but state finances pose big threat
With an abundance of freight lines and roadways, along with a reliable power grid, Illinois placed No. 1 in the U.S. for infrastructure. But state finances are a threat, and political pork needs to give way to projects that move the most people and goods.
By Noah Shaar
Black workers suffer most from Illinois’ slow recovery from COVID-19
Black workers suffer most from Illinois’ slow recovery from COVID-19
Some parts of Illinois’ job markets are recovering, but not for Black Illinoisans. Many jobs are still missing from before COVID-19, including over one-third of the leisure and hospitality jobs.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Feds investigate property tax bribery scheme in Cook County
Feds investigate property tax bribery scheme in Cook County
A Board of Review employee claims corruption is rampant in his Cook County office after an FBI affidavit states he was charging $2,000 to lower assessment on commercial properties and $1,000 for homes.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois home building lags virtually every other state during past decade
Illinois home building lags virtually every other state during past decade
New census data shows Illinois ranked 48th in the U.S. for new single-family home permits during the past decade.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois state, local sales taxes rank 7th in U.S.
Illinois state, local sales taxes rank 7th in U.S.
Illinoisans pay one of the highest sales tax rates in the nation when local and state sales taxes are averaged. The average rate of 8.83% was up slightly from a year earlier.
By Noah Shaar
Feds charge former Chicago principal with taking $200,000 in school overtime scheme
Feds charge former Chicago principal with taking $200,000 in school overtime scheme
A former Chicago Public Schools principal convinced her employees to falsely charge for overtime and give her the money, claiming it would go for school expenses. Charges state she instead paid her mortgage.
By Patrick Andriesen
$51,627 in unemployment benefits for average salaried parent in Illinois
$51,627 in unemployment benefits for average salaried parent in Illinois
Illinois employers are hurting from a lack of workers while the state unemployment rate remains high. When a parent can stay home and make $51,627 on unemployment, the prospects of getting more workers back to work this summer appear dim.
By Noah Shaar