Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Illinois named 7th worst state for retirement by WalletHub
Retirees are better off in North Dakota and Nebraska than in Illinois, according to a new analysis from WalletHub. Illinois came in seventh from last compared to other states, according to the ranking.
The study measured a state’s affordability, quality of life and health care. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez said Illinois wound up in the bottom 10 of the 50 states because of how its economy is made up.
Chicago Tribune: Pension debt, property taxes, budget holes: Chicago’s next mayor faces huge financial problems
At a packed City Club luncheon in late January, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot presented a hopeful picture of the city’s economic outlook.
Speaking to a crowd of movers and shakers at Maggiano’s downtown, Lightfoot hailed a “robust” recovery from COVID-19, a slew of credit rating upgrades, potential new revenues from the new Bally’s casino and a deal to sell water to Joliet, and a $750 million reduction in outstanding debt since she took office.
Chicago Sun-Times: The tax that won’t die — and other revenue plans — surface in city election
Lobbyists, journalists, consultants and others with a pronounced interest in what the local electorate will decide usually say the same thing: Politics in Chicago is a sport.
The Center Square: Republicans continue pushback against Pritzker's consecutive executive orders
State lawmakers are split on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s continued use of disaster proclamations related to COVID-19.
Pritzker started issuing COVID disaster proclamations and executive orders related to COVID-19 in March 2020. He announced this week that the 30-day consecutive proclamations will end May 11, coinciding with the federal government’s announced end. The proclamations keep open the path for federal COVID-19 relief resources to come to Illinois.
Associated Press: Laurence Msall, leader of Illinois tax watchdog group, dies
Laurence Msall, the longtime president of a nonpartisan Illinois tax and budget watchdog group and a former aide to two governors, died following complications from surgery. He was 61.
Msall had been the Civic Federation’s president since January 2002. He died Saturday surrounded by his family, the group said in a statement, calling his death a “devastating blow” that left its members heartbroken.