Illinois municipal pensions solid. State pensions melting.
Illinois municipal pensions solid. State pensions melting.
The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund reported a 95.8% funded ratio for 2024. Other Illinois plans would benefit from following its practices.
By LyLena Estabine
Illinois checks, balances? Not under Pritzker
Illinois checks, balances? Not under Pritzker
As veto session begins and power goes back to the Democratic majority state legislature, the consequences of a single-party state are more evident than ever.
By Lilly Rossi
Michael Madigan begins prison term
Michael Madigan begins prison term
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s 7.5-year federal prison sentence started Oct. 13 for his role in a bribery scheme involving Commonwealth Edison, Illinois’ largest utility.
By Dylan Sharkey
Fines per Chicagoan more than triples since 1996 to prop up city budget
Fines per Chicagoan more than triples since 1996 to prop up city budget
Chicago’s 2025 budget needed $345 million in fines, forfeitures and penalties. It was $99 million 30 years ago. What will the new budget extract from residents?
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago Teachers Union pays for audit, doesn’t let members see it
Chicago Teachers Union pays for audit, doesn’t let members see it
The Chicago Teachers Union is over five years behind in releasing its 'annual' audits, yet its own reporting shows it’s been paying accountants for those audits.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois grows enough pumpkins for 8B pumpkin-spice lattes
Illinois grows enough pumpkins for 8B pumpkin-spice lattes
Illinois can take credit for plenty of Starbucks’ pumpkin spice lattes. The state produces enough pumpkins to make nearly 8 billion pumpkin spice lattes, the most pumpkins in the U.S.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago Teachers Union undermines yet another charter school
Chicago Teachers Union undermines yet another charter school
The Chicago Teachers Union’s attacks on charter schools are to blame for the upcoming closure of the Chicago High School for the Arts.
By Hannah Schmid
Without reforms, pension insolvency will eat Chicago alive
Without reforms, pension insolvency will eat Chicago alive
If Chicago’s pension systems become insolvent, the city will have to reduce benefits or make serious cuts to city services. The only way out is constitutional reform.
By LyLena Estabine
Rockford youth move from mean streets to building sidewalks
Rockford youth move from mean streets to building sidewalks
Rockford youths often faced a hopeless future, but a program is helping them find a trade as they rebuild their community. It is led by a man who once faced their troubles.
By Jess Plowman
Teachers union strike threats as school starts is an unfair tactic
Teachers union strike threats as school starts is an unfair tactic
At least three Illinois teachers unions threatened to strike at the start of this school year. Keeping students out of class so unions can get their way should be illegal in Illinois.
By Lilly Rossi
Pritzker stands between public school students, academic help
Pritzker stands between public school students, academic help
If Gov. J.B. Pritzker lets Illinois join the federal scholarship tax credit program, public school students could receive grants for tutoring, books and other academic services.
By Hannah Schmid
Illinois GDP grew 4.8% in 2nd quarter of 2025
Illinois GDP grew 4.8% in 2nd quarter of 2025
Illinois’ economy bounces back after early 2025 slump. Long-term growth is threatened by taxation, regulation and barriers to getting a job.
By Ravi Mishra
Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills
Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills
Illinois taxpayers in 2024 owed an average of $38,800 each, ranking No. 3 in the U.S. Illinois earned an “F” for fiscal management.
By Patrick Andriesen