Holly Hasten Jarovsky
Holly Hasten Jarovsky
"We used to believe that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and unfortunately now particularly in the educational environment that’s all we do."
Chicago allows coach houses after 64-year ban, but with restrictions
Chicago allows coach houses after 64-year ban, but with restrictions
Chicago issued permits for about 160 coach houses and granny flats after banning the alternative housing for decades. But restrictions may damage the experiment, especially in areas that most need affordable housing.
Illinois unemployment fund faces potential $8 billion deficit
Illinois unemployment fund faces potential $8 billion deficit
Historic unemployment payouts related to the COVID-19 shutdowns left Illinois’ fund billions in the hole. State leaders did nothing to fix it, meaning there could be reduced benefits for the unemployed or higher taxes on employers trying to recover.
Digital license plates could solve Chicago carjackings, but give hackers data
Digital license plates could solve Chicago carjackings, but give hackers data
Chicago’s surge in carjackings prompted an Illinois Secretary of State candidate to call for digital license plates. The plates could be a convenience that could create privacy problems.
Illinois lawmakers got $15.1M before seeking constitutional power for union bosses
Illinois lawmakers got $15.1M before seeking constitutional power for union bosses
Illinois state lawmakers want voters to hand over Illinois’ economy to unions. Before voting for the measure, they received $15.1 million in campaign cash from those unions.
Union Strong
Union Strong
Last-minute Illinois budget riddled with errors
Last-minute Illinois budget riddled with errors
Because Illinois state lawmakers waited until the last minute to pass a budget, no one noticed multiple errors that could have halted about half of the state’s spending until a month before the fiscal year ended. Haste makes waste of taxpayer dollars.
Illinois sheds 7,900 jobs in May despite national recovery from COVID-19
Illinois sheds 7,900 jobs in May despite national recovery from COVID-19
Illinois saw six of 11 major industries shrink payrolls in May as the nation continued to regain jobs lost during the COVID-19 recession.
Rockford suffers worst month of job loss in nation
Rockford suffers worst month of job loss in nation
Eight of 13 Illinois-based metro areas lost jobs in April.
Exelon lobbyist pushes $14.4 million payday for Springfield lawmakers
Exelon lobbyist pushes $14.4 million payday for Springfield lawmakers
The Illinois General Assembly voted for a decade to eliminate annual cost-of-living adjustments for lawmaker salaries after the Great Recession. Now, former state lawmakers are suing the state to put that money right back into politicians’ pockets.
Election law changes may be coming to Illinois: What you need to know
Election law changes may be coming to Illinois: What you need to know
New legislation awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature foresees the possibility of felons being allowed to hold office. Other election law changes would expand vote by mail, push back the 2022 primary election and make Election Day 2022 a state holiday.
Masks on, or masks off? What to know about mask rules as Illinois reopens
Masks on, or masks off? What to know about mask rules as Illinois reopens
Chicago and state mask mandates have been dropped for fully vaccinated Illinoisans in most circumstances. Here is where masks will continue to be required, or not.
Illinoisans freed from mask mandates
Illinoisans freed from mask mandates
Masks to stay on in Illinois schools despite June 11 reopening
Masks to stay on in Illinois schools despite June 11 reopening
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants masks on and social distancing intact when children return to school next year. Most COVID-19 restrictions will be dropped June 11, but not all.