Nearly two-thirds of Peoria property taxes consumed by pensions
Nearly two-thirds of Peoria property taxes consumed by pensions
The average Peoria household owns nearly $38,000 in state and local pension debt.
COVID-19 vaccination proof might be required to dine out in Chicago
COVID-19 vaccination proof might be required to dine out in Chicago
A group of Chicago aldermen have called for residents to prove their COVID-19 vaccination status before allowing them to attend indoor venues such as restaurants, bars and theaters
Pritzker’s gas tax squeeze
Pritzker’s gas tax squeeze
Pritzker asked what COVID-19 measure will let Illinoisans ditch masks
Pritzker asked what COVID-19 measure will let Illinoisans ditch masks
A state lawmaker has asked Gov. J.B. Pritzker for the metrics needed to drop statewide mask mandates. He also called for public hearings on masking harms to student development, others in Illinois.
Ep. 3: Illinois budget fact check with Adam Schuster
Ep. 3: Illinois budget fact check with Adam Schuster
Guest: Adam Schuster
Everything you need to know about Illinois unemployment
Everything you need to know about Illinois unemployment
The Illinois Department of Employment Security was ill-prepared to handle record numbers of unemployed workers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, was slow to distribute federal help, exposed Illinoisans' private information, then lefts thousands on hold awaiting answers. Here's the latest.
Chicago Park District ‘reform’ bill puts pension costs on taxpayers
Chicago Park District ‘reform’ bill puts pension costs on taxpayers
House Bill 417 falls far short of the structural reforms Illinois pension systems require. A constitutional amendment is needed after courts blocked a real reform effort in 2018.
5 things wrong with Illinois holding 30% of U.S. pension bond debt
5 things wrong with Illinois holding 30% of U.S. pension bond debt
Pension obligation bonds, like payday loans, are a sign of mismanaged finances. Illinois not only leads the nation for using that risky debt, it owes the bulk of it.
The problem with property taxes in the Chicago suburbs
The problem with property taxes in the Chicago suburbs
Property taxes keep going up, but services aren’t improving. Paying more and getting less is a trend that residents want to see reversed.
Ep. 2: Illinois’ post-COVID economy with Orphe Divounguy
Ep. 2: Illinois’ post-COVID economy with Orphe Divounguy
Guest: Dr. Orphe Divounguy
Illinois bill would give ISBE authority to revoke schools’ state recognition
Illinois bill would give ISBE authority to revoke schools’ state recognition
Gov. J.B Pritzker has warned district administrators since early August that ISBE would strip state recognition from Illinois schools defying his statewide mask mandate. House Bill 4135 aims to give the state board of education that power.
Chris Stephens
Chris Stephens
“There’s a lot of investors nationally that I know that will not invest in Illinois. There [are] large investors pulling out of this state because they don’t want to pay for other people’s bad mistakes.”
A message to voters from Illinois’ mapmakers
A message to voters from Illinois’ mapmakers
Marius Powell
Marius Powell
“You need stable housing to get yourself together, hold a job and contribute to society. Without proper housing people end up using more resources.”