Illinois’ unemployment rate is more than a full percentage point higher than the national rate, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker says things are getting better.

The August jobless rate for the state was 5.3%, tied with California for second highest in the U.S. after Nevada at 5.5%.

A 3% tax on individual income over $1 million would flood Illinois’ coffers with at least $4.5 billion in new revenues annually, a new state estimate shows weeks ahead of an advisory referendum on earmarking that money for property tax relief.

The estimate, obtained by WBEZ through a state open-records request, marks the first time Gov. JB Pritzker’s Revenue Department has weighed in on the effects of imposing that new proposed tax on the state’s wealthiest citizens to ease what is a leading financial issue daunting the middle class.

The state agency charged with distributing unemployment benefits continued to fall short in administering claims filed during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving auditors unable to determine if more than $6 million wound up in the proper hands, according to a report released Thursday.

The report from Auditor General Frank Mautino’s office marked the latest criticism of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, which has come under scrutiny over the last few years for how it administered the distribution of unemployment benefits throughout the pandemic.

The elimination of cash bail in Illinois has not caused an increase in crime or criminal defendants skipping town to avoid legal consequences in its first year.

Those are the findings of a report released Tuesday by Loyola University Chicago’s Center for Criminal Justice. The report, which features a mix of data from counties statewide, shows the much-debated Pretrial Fairness Act — a key component of the SAFE-T Act — hasn’t led to the negative outcomes many feared when it was a contentious talking point in the run-up to the 2022 elections.

U.S. News & World Report has issued its 2025 Best Colleges rankings.

Two universities in Illinois made the top 20 list of Best National Universities.