A measure on the November ballot that aims to codify collective bargaining issues in the Illinois state constitution could raise property taxes, one expert says.

Amendment 1 on Illinois’ November ballot enshrines union protections regarding what can be negotiated in contracts, including wages, hours, and working conditions.

ComEd may be ordered to pay refunds to customers in the wake of a scandal tied to former House Speaker Mike Madigan (D).

The Illinois Commerce Commission is considering a proposal to force the utility to pay more than $38 million in refunds, in the form of credits on electric bills.

A new report finds problems with the state’s $25 million system for pandemic unemployment systems that may explain why the Illinois Department of Employment Security can’t calculate fraud.

The Fiscal Year 2021 report from the Illinois Auditor General’s office found the Illinois Department of Employment Security failed to “maintain accurate and complete Pandemic Unemployment Assistance [PUA] claimant data.” As a result, auditors were unable to verify whether any of IDES’ reported financial statements were accurate.

A report by the Illinois Auditor General on the state’s pension systems offers some sobering numbers.

The audit shows the pension systems for teachers, state universities, state employees, judges and the General Assembly were about 42% funded in 2021, which reflects little improvement from the year before.

The head of the Illinois Department of Human Services has been ordered to appear in Sangamon County court to respond to charges the agency failed to comply with orders to accept two county jail inmates at mental health facilities.

Judge Adam Giganti, in two orders Wednesday, ruled in favor of petitions by Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright stemming from April court orders requiring mental health treatment for inmates Alfred Berry, 34, and Anthony A. McNeil, 35.

Gary Meyer runs Friendly Fred’s Truck Stop in Gilman, roughly 20 miles from Indiana. As fuel prices and taxes rise, business owners such as Meyer are especially feeling the effects.

“As a gas station and truck stop owner, we make money on inside store sales and if we’re lucky, 3 cents per gallon for selling gasoline. In a competitive market, owners may be losing a few pennies a gallon to win customers,” Meyer said.

Deaf parents will now have access to interpreters at school meetings in Illinois.

A new law in Illinois will make sure interpreters are made available at no cost for all meetings necessary.