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
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
Digital licenses, shampoo bottles, $15 wage: Illinois’ new laws for 2025
Digital licenses, shampoo bottles, $15 wage: Illinois’ new laws for 2025
New Years’ Day means hundreds of new laws on the books, including one allowing residents to get a digital version of their driver’s license.
By Dylan Sharkey
Bill would boost transparency of Illinois finances
Bill would boost transparency of Illinois finances
Illinois House Bill 5896 would require more detailed reporting of how Springfield spends taxpayer money. It improves transparency, which is a step toward fiscal restraint.
By Joe Tabor
Madigan tops naughty list of Illinois’ federal corruption targets in 2024
Madigan tops naughty list of Illinois’ federal corruption targets in 2024
The nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, a woman who called herself “super mayor” and a collection of other self-serving public servants are among the highest-profile corruption cases in decades. Here’s the naughty list for 2024.
By Patrick Andriesen
Voters near O’Hare take up unfunded state mandates
Voters near O’Hare take up unfunded state mandates
Voters in Leyden Township will be sounding off April 1 on state mandates made without state funding being provided. Unfunded mandates force local governments to raise taxes to comply with new rules.
By Dylan Sharkey
Leaving kids home alone at Christmas could still land you on naughty list
Leaving kids home alone at Christmas could still land you on naughty list
Illinois no longer has the highest home alone age in the nation, but it might not be the Christmas gift parents were hoping for. Illinoisans should still get a sitter or risk coming under investigation.
By Patrick Andriesen
Studies: Cook County No. 6 ‘judicial hellhole,’ lawsuit abuse costs each Illinois family $4,281
Studies: Cook County No. 6 ‘judicial hellhole,’ lawsuit abuse costs each Illinois family $4,281
Jackpot justice in Illinois recently drew the ire of two national groups. Cook County was labeled a leading “judicial hellhole.” Lawsuit abuse imposes a $4,281 cost on each Illinois household. State lawmakers, trial lawyers and plaintiff-friendly courts are to blame.
By Jerry Barmore
Senior advisor to Brandon Johnson voted in Texas this November, raising questions about residency
Senior advisor to Brandon Johnson voted in Texas this November, raising questions about residency
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s senior advisor Jason Lee cast his vote in Texas this November, but Chicago city government requires its employees to reside within city limits.
By Austin Berg
O’Hare one of worst airports for wait times ahead of Thanksgiving travel
O’Hare one of worst airports for wait times ahead of Thanksgiving travel
Chicago’s O’Hare Airport is one of the toughest for waiting in long lines, according to a study of the nation’s biggest airports. Motorists dealing with Illinois’ second-highest gas taxes won’t fare much better hitting the road.
By Dylan Sharkey
Swipe twice? Only Illinois shoppers might face credit-card inconvenience, depending on lawsuit
Swipe twice? Only Illinois shoppers might face credit-card inconvenience, depending on lawsuit
How Illinoisans use their credit or debit cards could change depending on the result of a lawsuit over certain fees impacted by a new state law. Illinois shoppers may be the only ones in the nation forced to swipe twice for each purchase, or they might see a little savings.
By Dylan Sharkey
Check here for Illinois election results
Check here for Illinois election results
No Election Day noise. Just results for the issues close to home for Illinois' and Chicago's freedom-minded voters.
By Brad Weisenstein
Curfews, fines: Beware Illinois communities’ trick-or-treat laws
Curfews, fines: Beware Illinois communities’ trick-or-treat laws
Some Illinois communities see regulating any mischief on Halloween as a real treat. One town fines trick-or-treaters up to $750 if they don’t know the Halloween laws.
By Jerry Barmore