Bill Powell
Bill Powell
"It’s truly ridiculous to realize that unions trump state law. There are some things in the contracts that impede disciplinary reforms."
Illinois recovery stalls as state sheds 4,000 private sector jobs in April
Illinois recovery stalls as state sheds 4,000 private sector jobs in April
While total payrolls were up 300, private sector jobs took a beating in April and lost 4,000 positions. Illinois’ labor market completely stalled as the national economic recovery slowed.
Amy Collofello
Amy Collofello
“I’m praying and hoping that the Empower scholarship stays in place because there are so many families that could use it."
Illinois is under ‘extreme’ threat of drawing another Madigan election map
Illinois is under ‘extreme’ threat of drawing another Madigan election map
Illinois is listed as one of the states under ‘extreme’ danger of partisan gerrymandering of its state legislative and congressional redistricting maps. Gov. J.B. Pritzker can stop that threat.
All Illinois metro areas see populations drop in 2020
All Illinois metro areas see populations drop in 2020
Each of Illinois’ metropolitan areas got smaller from July 2019-July 2020, census estimates showed.
Illinois students will return to in-person schooling in fall
Illinois students will return to in-person schooling in fall
In-person learning will resume in the fall, the Illinois State Board of Education has decided. Whether kids will still be required to wear masks and sit behind plastic shields in the fall remains to be decided.
Illinois loses 1 seat in Congress, but Republicans may lose 2
Illinois loses 1 seat in Congress, but Republicans may lose 2
A proposed map for new U.S. House districts in Illinois has been making the rounds in Springfield. Republicans stand to lose a lot.
Tracy Smith
Tracy Smith
"The tax credit scholarship allowed my children to continue their education, but it also allowed me the opportunity to continue to put what I could back into the system."
Pritzker follows CDC rules on masks, relaxes COVID-19 mandates
Pritzker follows CDC rules on masks, relaxes COVID-19 mandates
Illinois is following new CDC guidelines on masks and social distancing for fully vaccinated people; Pritzker pushes vaccinations, says masks stay on for unvaccinated; Chicago mandates remain
Bill would allow Chicago Public Schools principals to go on strike
Bill would allow Chicago Public Schools principals to go on strike
A bill that passed the Illinois House and is now in the Senate would allow Chicago principals to unionize and strike, creating an even more unstable environment for the city’s school children.
Nearly all Illinois counties lost population in 2020
Nearly all Illinois counties lost population in 2020
Census estimates tallied population decline in 98 of Illinois’ 102 counties. Only Los Angeles County lost more people than Cook County last year.
Illinois gas averages $3.25 a gallon even after pipeline resumes operation
Illinois gas averages $3.25 a gallon even after pipeline resumes operation
The Colonial Pipeline shutdown set off a gasoline price increase, but summer travel demand and pricier summer blends are likely to keep them there. Illinois averages $3.25 per gallon, AAA reports.
Illinoisans worked 113 days to pay all their taxes, but more may be coming
Illinoisans worked 113 days to pay all their taxes, but more may be coming
Tax Day comes with new threats for Illinois taxpayers, who worked longer than residents in 44 other states to pay their taxes this year.
Free Six Flags tickets offered for COVID-19 shots in Illinois
Free Six Flags tickets offered for COVID-19 shots in Illinois
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a donation of $4 million in Six Flags tickets will be used as an incentive to get more Illinoisans their COVID-19 vaccinations. The 50,000 tickets will be targeted to minority communities.