Illinois’ comeback story starts here.
Atlas Sweets is a newcomer to Chicago’s summer farmers market and fair scene. For founders Vlad and Ellery Rikhlyuk, the cotton candy enterprise is about more than bringing in a little extra cash – it’s the revival of a family dream once crushed by Soviet Communism.
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan may be heading for a 7.5-year stint in the federal pen, but his corrupt legend lives on thanks to a folk song by a former staffer
Illinois is No. 1 in the nation for property taxes, an uncomfortable reality for Rantoul homeowner Yohna Hornbuckle. His property taxes are up 50% in six years and threaten his ability to stay
Allan Luzbetak has lived in the Lockport, Illinois area for decades; but concerns over rising property taxes could push him out of the state as he enters retirement. He explains his disappointment with community leaders’ approach to spending, and why it tempts so many people in situations like his to leave the state. “I’ve lived...
“A bill like this also meets a huge need economically. I have taught so many African-American women who were able to take this craft of hair braiding and make an honest living for themselves and for their families."
In the April 2024 municipal elections, Kane County leaders proposed a $51 million retail tax hike. A grassroots citizens group called Kane County Speaks campaigned against the measure. Not only did they defeat it, they inspired the highest voter turnout the county had seen for a municipal election in decades. Here’s how they did it...
“When I was 17, I was in a gang. On the first day of my senior year, I got in a confrontation with a rival gang that started chasing me. A friend of mine saw this and fired at them and hit an innocent bystander.” “By the theory of accountability, I was convicted of first-degree...
“The truth is, I had always had a good educational upbringing, and a good family. But the allure of the streets just got me at an early age and it led me down a wrong path.” “While I was incarcerated, I went back to those educational roots. I poured myself into rehabilitating myself and becoming...
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