Illinois’ economy likely shrank by $86 billion during Q2, national data suggests
Illinois’ economy likely shrank by $86 billion during Q2, national data suggests
Data published last week by the Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that U.S. gross domestic product shrank at an annualized rate of -32.9% during the second quarter.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois drivers surrounded by states with lower gas tax rates
Illinois drivers surrounded by states with lower gas tax rates
Illinois doubled the gas tax in 2019, which pushed it to No. 3 in the nation for highest average gas tax.
Has your Illinois state representative called on Madigan to resign?
Has your Illinois state representative called on Madigan to resign?
Pressure is growing on the longest-serving state House speaker in American history to resign as federal investigators probe his relationships with corporate lobbyists.
Pritzker benches fall football, puts COVID-19 restrictions on other amateur sports
Pritzker benches fall football, puts COVID-19 restrictions on other amateur sports
Fall’s most popular high school sports lost out as public health, sports and academic leaders put pandemic restrictions on youth, high school and adult amateur sports starting Aug. 15.
Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs rebound is among nation’s weakest
Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs rebound is among nation’s weakest
Most other states have recouped more of their February-April job losses from the pandemic shutdowns than Illinois.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois moms take brunt of COVID-19 unemployment
Illinois moms take brunt of COVID-19 unemployment
COVID-19 and associated government lockdowns disproportionately harmed women with children at home.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Pritzker moves to scrap anti-patronage deal amid Illinois corruption, bribery probes
Pritzker moves to scrap anti-patronage deal amid Illinois corruption, bribery probes
After nearly 50 years, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the Governor’s Office no longer needs federal oversight to halt patronage hiring. His request came three days before federal prosecutors said Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan turned public utilities into patronage havens.
By Joe Tabor
After Madigan probe, Pritzker changes standard on when Illinois lawmakers should resign
After Madigan probe, Pritzker changes standard on when Illinois lawmakers should resign
Three state lawmaker corruption probes led Illinois’ governor to call for three resignations, but the fourth involving Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan received a weaker response.
By Brad Weisenstein
Illinois workers remain idle despite national rebound
Illinois workers remain idle despite national rebound
The state and most of its urban areas are failing to get residents back to work at rates matching the national average.
By Bryce Hill
To reform policing, Illinois must rehabilitate its errant labor laws
To reform policing, Illinois must rehabilitate its errant labor laws
A police union contract that protects deviant officers while muzzling those who wish to serve honorably is one set up to fail the public.
By Vincent Caruso
What powers does Pritzker have in an emergency? And what has he ordered so far?
What powers does Pritzker have in an emergency? And what has he ordered so far?
In the case of an epidemic like COVID-19, Illinois governors are given a wide range of emergency powers for a limited period of time.
By Joe Tabor
AT&T gets subpoena in Madigan probe
AT&T gets subpoena in Madigan probe
Federal investigators are looking into Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s relationship with multiple corporations.