Bill would let Illinois parents decide when kids are old enough to be home alone
Bill would let Illinois parents decide when kids are old enough to be home alone
Illinois is the only state to outlaw leaving children home alone until they are 14. Lawmakers are considering throwing out the minimum age altogether, joining 39 other states that leave it up to parents.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois Supreme Court denies Pritzker’s appeal of school mask mandate decisions, schools move to mask optional Feb. 28
Illinois Supreme Court denies Pritzker’s appeal of school mask mandate decisions, schools move to mask optional Feb. 28
After the Illinois Supreme Court determined the state’s appeal of decisions regarding the governor’s school mask rules was moot, the governor declared schools can move to mask optional policies on Feb. 28.
By Amy Korte, Mailee Smith
Amendment 1 would give teachers unions more power over Illinois schools, parents
Amendment 1 would give teachers unions more power over Illinois schools, parents
If voters pass Amendment 1 in November, it will give teachers unions unprecedented power over what happens in schools. That power could never be curbed.
By Mailee Smith
Manuel Rodriguez
Manuel Rodriguez
“The scholarships help us a lot because I am self-employed, and I don’t always have a fixed income. On my own, it would be very difficult to afford the tuition and fees at our local private school. The scholarship has helped me to keep my kids in a good school.”
What you need to know about Pritzker’s legal fight to keep students masked
What you need to know about Pritzker’s legal fight to keep students masked
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is asking the Illinois Supreme Court to let him keep his authority to force Illinoisans to mask. But his effort to keep his COVID-19 mandate power is ignoring relevant data.
By Mailee Smith
Fact check: Pritzker’s proposed tax ‘relief’ only temporary
Fact check: Pritzker’s proposed tax ‘relief’ only temporary
Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker’s latest campaign boast is how he’s providing relief for families, but none of it is permanent. He created much of the problem, and all the tax relief he’s proposing would expire after the election.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago public schools keep masks in place as city, parochial schools end mandate
Chicago public schools keep masks in place as city, parochial schools end mandate
Chicago Public Schools’ Board of Education said vaccination rates have it keeping students and staff in masks Feb. 28 and beyond. Parents are asking what it will take to see classrooms without masks. More private schools are taking off masks.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago cops must get COVID-19 shots, arbitrator rules
Chicago cops must get COVID-19 shots, arbitrator rules
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot won a round in her fight to make Chicago Police Department workers get their COVID-19 vaccinations. Now all city employees, including police officers, must be vaccinated.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker’s strict COVID-19 policies slowed Illinois’ job recovery
Pritzker’s strict COVID-19 policies slowed Illinois’ job recovery
A new Fed report shows strict COVID-19 policies and enhanced unemployment benefits likely contributed to Illinois’ sluggish recovery from the pandemic recession.
By Bryce Hill, Jim Royal
Chicago schools keep mask mandate despite end to city, state requirement
Chicago schools keep mask mandate despite end to city, state requirement
Teachers union agreements may dictate enforcement of school mask policies – even if Illinois lifts its statewide school mask mandate, a judge noted.
By Hannah Schmid
Illinois still missing nearly 1 in 3 leisure, hospitality jobs
Illinois still missing nearly 1 in 3 leisure, hospitality jobs
Illinois is experiencing one of the nation’s worst recoveries for leisure and hospitality jobs. Of the Illinois jobs that vanished since the COVID-19 pandemic, 35% are in leisure and hospitality – the most of any industry.
By Dylan Sharkey