Melissa Taylor
Melissa Taylor
“Finally, I decided to apply for unemployment. I hesitated to apply before because I know there are people who might need it more, but we’re out of options.”
Illinoisans pay 10th highest lifetime taxes in U.S.
Illinoisans pay 10th highest lifetime taxes in U.S.
Illinoisans will pay nearly one-third more in taxes during their lives than the average American. They will pay almost double what Indiana and Kentucky residents will pay.
Former Illinois Senate president returns to lobby for utility on energy bill
Former Illinois Senate president returns to lobby for utility on energy bill
The former president of the Illinois Senate is now a lobbyist for a power utility. Illinois needs stronger rules on when their peers can return to sway state lawmakers.
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.