Nick Poplawski
Nick Poplawski
"Union leaders would say they didn’t like what Janus was doing, but we saw the merit to the other side saying, ‘This is your money. You should be able to decide where your money goes.’"
Illinois ranks 7th worst in U.S. for pandemic unemployment assistance rollout
Illinois ranks 7th worst in U.S. for pandemic unemployment assistance rollout
Illinois was among the nation’s worst for delays in helping gig workers and the self-employed receive pandemic assistance unemployment payments, a federal audit found. Rampant fraud and inadequate reporting was also discovered nationwide.
Pritzker breaks fair maps promise
Pritzker breaks fair maps promise
Illinois reopens June 11, but keep those masks handy
Illinois reopens June 11, but keep those masks handy
Illinoisans on June 11 will take off their masks and breathe a sigh of relief – except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance and Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandates.
Frequently asked questions: Updated rules on COVID-19 and schools
Frequently asked questions: Updated rules on COVID-19 and schools
Breaking down the state's latest rules concerning COVID-19 restrictions in Illinois K-12 schools.
Pritzker’s unbalanced ‘balanced’ budget
Pritzker’s unbalanced ‘balanced’ budget
Pritzker OKs gerrymandered maps, breaking promise to end partisan games
Pritzker OKs gerrymandered maps, breaking promise to end partisan games
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Democrats’ partisan legislative and judicial redistricting plans. He had repeatedly promised to veto any maps drawn by state lawmakers for their own benefit.
Illinois lawmakers give themselves $1,200 raise, double office budgets
Illinois lawmakers give themselves $1,200 raise, double office budgets
The fiscal year 2022 budget includes pay hikes for members of the Illinois General Assembly, who were already among the nation’s highest-paid state lawmakers. It also boosts office allowances and leader stipends.
Pritzker hints at $7 million COVID-19 vaccine lottery
Pritzker hints at $7 million COVID-19 vaccine lottery
Illinoisans are not getting COVID-19 vaccinations at the rate they once were, so Gov. J.B. Pritzker may turn to cash prizes through a vaccine lottery to boost immunizations.
Scott + Karen Dvorak
Scott + Karen Dvorak
Scott Dvorak “I’m a father of eight kids. They range from like kindergarten to high school and there’s really no way that we can afford to pay for eight kids in Catholic school. My wife is a teacher with the Diocese, and I work in sales, so the scholarships have really helped our family. “They’re...
Teachers union vows to keep chasing health rules for Illinois private schools
Teachers union vows to keep chasing health rules for Illinois private schools
After nearly 17,000 Illinois parents opposed a bill to impose state health mandates on private schools, and state lawmakers let the effort sit, it seemed the fight was over. Not quite. A teachers union lead lobbyist pledged to keep pursuing it.
Scholarships for low-income students survive Pritzker’s threat, gain a year
Scholarships for low-income students survive Pritzker’s threat, gain a year
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wanted to gut the Invest in Kids program for low-income students. Lawmakers opposed that, adding a year to the program.
Tax hikes fail to balance Illinois budget, but lawmakers raise own pay
Tax hikes fail to balance Illinois budget, but lawmakers raise own pay
Leaders claimed the budget was balanced and included no tax hikes, but neither is true. Illinois state lawmakers for the 21st time passed a deficit budget – one that includes $655 million in new taxes and a nearly $1,200 raise for themselves.
Pritzker declares disaster for 16th time despite June 11 reopening prediction
Pritzker declares disaster for 16th time despite June 11 reopening prediction
Illinois could fully reopen by June 11, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker decided the state was still a disaster zone and he needed emergency powers until the end of June.