Leaving 8th graders ‘Home Alone’ could land Illinois parents in jail
Leaving 8th graders ‘Home Alone’ could land Illinois parents in jail
Unlike parents in the Chicagoland Christmas classic, Illinoisans could end up under investigation, arrested or even lose custody for leaving their eighth graders unsupervised this holiday. Parents in 30 other states get to decide for themselves.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago Public Schools students test scores worse than pre-pandemic
Chicago Public Schools students test scores worse than pre-pandemic
CPS student proficiency rates remain below pre-pandemic levels and demographic achievement gaps persist in newest release of statewide test data.
By Hannah Schmid
Biden promises nearly $36 billion for national pension bailouts
Biden promises nearly $36 billion for national pension bailouts
The Biden administration promised nearly $36 billion to stabilize pension plans for Teamsters nationwide after forecasts predicted the system’s default by 2026. Union members would have seen their retirement benefits slashed by 60% if the system defaulted.
By Patrick Andriesen
Pritzker signs SAFE-T Act trailer amendment with 5 reforms
Pritzker signs SAFE-T Act trailer amendment with 5 reforms
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the fourth trailer amendment to the SAFE-T Act Dec. 6. Experts predict the changes will not stop a constitutional challenge from 62 state’s attorneys.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago transit employee tried to steal $357K from pension fund
Chicago transit employee tried to steal $357K from pension fund
A former CTA clerk was indicted on five counts of wire fraud for allegedly creating and approving 43 fraudulent benefit requests.
By Patrick Andriesen
Amendment 1 narrowly clears voter threshold to become law
Amendment 1 narrowly clears voter threshold to become law
Amendment 1 is now included in the Illinois Constitution after the State Board of Elections certified the Nov. 8 election results.
By Dylan Sharkey
Springfield’s ‘bad Santas’ can’t kick sin tax habit
Springfield’s ‘bad Santas’ can’t kick sin tax habit
Bad habits are tough to break, and Illinois lawmakers can’t ditch their habit of depending on sin taxes to raise revenue.
By Dylan Sharkey
What you need to know about new Illinois laws taking effect in 2023
What you need to know about new Illinois laws taking effect in 2023
New laws signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker are set to impact education, public safety, agriculture and labor
By Perry Zhao
Report: Illinois government ethics complaints hit new record in 2022
Report: Illinois government ethics complaints hit new record in 2022
Illinois’ Executive Inspector General reported a record number of complaints, some alleging financial mismanagement and conflicts of interest.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois ranks least tax-friendly state for middle-class families, 2nd-worst for retirees
Illinois ranks least tax-friendly state for middle-class families, 2nd-worst for retirees
Tax friendliness reports ranked Illinois as the most expensive for middle-class families and second most expensive for retirees. Analysts cited high property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes as cinching the bottom spots.
By Patrick Andriesen
DCFS held kids in hospitals for months beyond doctors’ orders
DCFS held kids in hospitals for months beyond doctors’ orders
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services held kids in psychiatric hospitals for far longer than needed because the agency couldn’t find them housing.
By Dylan Sharkey