46 towns have passed a grocery tax. Is your town next?
46 towns have passed a grocery tax. Is your town next?
Already 46 towns around Illinois have voted to impose a 1% grocery tax in 2026. Other Illinoisans will start to save 1% on groceries when the statewide tax ends.
By Dylan Sharkey
Vallas: What new school board members should know about Chicago Public Schools
Vallas: What new school board members should know about Chicago Public Schools
Chicago’s first elected school board was just sworn into office. Here’s what members should know about what the Chicago Teachers Union has done to damage Chicago Public Schools and the city’s children, plus eight steps to undo the damage.
By Paul Vallas
5 principles to guide Illinois’ public pension reform
5 principles to guide Illinois’ public pension reform
With nearly $214 billion in state and local pension debt threatening both retirees and government finances, Illinois needs a new path forward. Here are five principles to guide the state, protect taxpayers and safeguard public servants.
By LyLena Estabine
Mass layoffs hit 14.7K Illinoisans in 2024, most from business closures
Mass layoffs hit 14.7K Illinoisans in 2024, most from business closures
State reports show 14,723 Illinoisans lost their jobs because of mass layoffs during 2024, with two-thirds resulting from business closures.
By Patrick Andriesen
Proposed law would let Chicagoans recall Mayor Johnson in special election
Proposed law would let Chicagoans recall Mayor Johnson in special election
House Bill 1084 would provide relief to the 70% of voters disapproving of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson by creating a process to recall the mayor.
By Mailee Smith
Elizabeth Nachtwey
Elizabeth Nachtwey
“This is a trade. It’s something that should be accessible for these communities. As it is, that kind of commitment together with the cost of training makes it very difficult to do.”
Illinois government pensioners deserve more control over their funds
Illinois government pensioners deserve more control over their funds
Expanding retirement savings plans as an option for all new Illinois state employees would give them choice and likely improve the state’s pension crisis.
By LyLena Estabine
How many gang crimes occurred in your Chicago neighborhood?
How many gang crimes occurred in your Chicago neighborhood?
How often did gang crimes happen in your Chicago neighborhood? Here’s what the Chicago Police data shows.
By Patrick Andriesen
Voters near O’Hare to take up gerrymandering, unfunded mandates
Voters near O’Hare to take up gerrymandering, unfunded mandates
Addison Township voters at the April 1 election will tell state lawmakers where they stand on legislative map gerrymandering and state leaders making demands without providing money. Nearly 650,000 Illinoisans’ concerns about major state issues will be represented by these votes.
By Dylan Sharkey
Another Cook County suburb gives voters say on Illinois issues
Another Cook County suburb gives voters say on Illinois issues
Wheeling Township voters will have a chance to weigh in on Illinois state lawmakers imposing unfunded mandates. After the April 1 election, nearly 650,000 Illinoisans’ concerns will have been represented by votes on some of the state’s most pressing issues.
By Dylan Sharkey
5 solutions for Illinois schools to fight literacy crisis
5 solutions for Illinois schools to fight literacy crisis
The first three years of elementary school are critical in building reading skills so a student succeeds in school and life. Illinois lawmakers can push five proven literacy reforms to give the state’s students a better start.
By Hannah Schmid
Voters in northwest Cook County take up pension crisis, unfunded mandates
Voters in northwest Cook County take up pension crisis, unfunded mandates
Palatine Township voters will take up some of the state’s most urgent issues at the April 1 election, telling state lawmakers where they stand on public pensions and unfunded state mandates.
By Dylan Sharkey