Illinois school districts spend taxpayer money on Springfield lobbying
Illinois school districts spend taxpayer money on Springfield lobbying
Residents are seeing property tax dollars flow toward lobbying for policies that increase homeowners’ property tax bills.
By Eddie Damstra
Jeff Doornbos
Jeff Doornbos
“Looking at it from a small business perspective we are just trying to serve the community like the other businesses in the city of Chicago. And at the same time, we’re trying to make sure that we’re abiding by all the rules and regulations put forth by the city. “We would love to see the...
Illinois lawmakers team up with rental car companies seeking to squeeze out competitors
Illinois lawmakers team up with rental car companies seeking to squeeze out competitors
Lawmakers in Springfield are joining forces with Hertz and Enterprise in efforts to punish companies offering innovative alternatives to conventional car rental options.
By Eddie Damstra
Amid heavy ticketing, challenge to Chicago food truck regulations heads to Illinois Supreme Court
Amid heavy ticketing, challenge to Chicago food truck regulations heads to Illinois Supreme Court
Chicago’s regulatory roadblocks have derailed opportunity for the city’s food truck entrepreneurs. As a challenge to those restrictions reaches Illinois’ high court, the outcome of the case could be felt statewide.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois General Assembly passes state budget out of balance by as much as $1.5B
Illinois General Assembly passes state budget out of balance by as much as $1.5B
Lawmakers voted to approve the 1,245-page budget less than 24 hours after it was revealed to the public.
By Adam Schuster
Obscure government official’s side gig a cause for concern
Obscure government official’s side gig a cause for concern
Andrew Hamilton is clearly a man of many hats. But some of those hats should raise eyebrows.
By Austin Berg
Trump considering commuting Blagojevich sentence
Trump considering commuting Blagojevich sentence
The former Illinois governor is halfway through his 14-year sentence for corruption-related charges.
Illinois lawmakers pass bill legalizing industrial hemp
Illinois lawmakers pass bill legalizing industrial hemp
While state law currently allows for the cultivation of hemp to be overseen by some government bodies, the Industrial Hemp Act would make legal the commercial production of hemp.
By Vincent Caruso
House passes Madigan’s progressive tax resolution
House passes Madigan’s progressive tax resolution
A majority of House lawmakers sided with the speaker over tapped-out taxpayers.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois Senate passes Cullerton budget, out of balance by as much as $1.5B
Illinois Senate passes Cullerton budget, out of balance by as much as $1.5B
State senators voted to approve the 1,245-page budget just hours after it was made public.
By Adam Schuster
Shrinking communities bode ill for Illinois’ economy
Shrinking communities bode ill for Illinois’ economy
More than three-quarters Illinois communities lost population over the year, and nearly all of the state’s major metro areas are lagging the nation on key economic indicators.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Illinois lawmakers pass bill raising legal age of tobacco, e-cigarette purchases to 21
Illinois lawmakers pass bill raising legal age of tobacco, e-cigarette purchases to 21
Pending the governor’s signature, the bill would expand Chicago’s smoking age restriction statewide.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois metro areas add 3,300 jobs in April
Illinois metro areas add 3,300 jobs in April
New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show eight of Illinois’ 13 metro areas gained jobs over the month.
By Bryce Hill