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
Chicago dropping mask, vaccine proof mandates Feb. 28
Chicago dropping mask, vaccine proof mandates Feb. 28
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the city will end its mask mandate at the end of February, in line with the statewide date. The mandate requiring proof-of-vaccination will also end Feb. 28.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois child protection relocates teen girl 25 times
Illinois child protection relocates teen girl 25 times
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith was charged for contempt of court four times in six weeks. The latest was a 16-year-old girl relocated 25 times through foster homes, shelters and psychiatric hospitals.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker appeals to Illinois Supreme Court after two courts derail his school mask mandate
Pritzker appeals to Illinois Supreme Court after two courts derail his school mask mandate
A judge’s ruling threw Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s school mask mandate into chaos. Now that an appellate court has ruled against Pritzker, too, he’s taking his fight to keep masks on students to the Illinois Supreme Court.
By Brad Weisenstein
Illinois teachers unions fight to keep kids masked
Illinois teachers unions fight to keep kids masked
A Sangamon County judge temporarily ended Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s school mask mandate, and Pritzker’s appeal of that ruling lost. Yet the fight showed Illinois teachers unions want kids masked statewide on Pritzker’s say-so alone.
By Joe Tabor
Sandra Granados
Sandra Granados
“Because of the Invest in Kids scholarships, my boys are thriving in schools they love in a community that has really supported us."
House bill would eliminate expungement fee for Illinoisans wrongfully arrested, convicted
House bill would eliminate expungement fee for Illinoisans wrongfully arrested, convicted
House bill would eliminate expungement fee for Illinoisans wrongfully arrested, convicted
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois appellate court rejects Pritzker’s appeal to keep kids in masks
Illinois appellate court rejects Pritzker’s appeal to keep kids in masks
The appellate court ruling marks Pritzker’s second loss in cases challenging his mask mandate in schools.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois state senators defy law to pick their watchdog
Illinois state senators defy law to pick their watchdog
Illinois state senators approved a new legislative inspector general over complaints by the Legislative Ethics Commission chair that the process and vetting were ignored for the new watchdog. House members vote next.
By Patrick Andriesen
Pritzker ad fact check: Pritzker’s policies have hurt small business, working mothers
Pritzker ad fact check: Pritzker’s policies have hurt small business, working mothers
Gov. J.B Pritzker’s latest campaign ad praises his support for small businesses even though his policies contributed to one of the nation’s largest small business closures.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker ad fact check: Illinois only paid bills on time because of federal aid
Pritzker ad fact check: Illinois only paid bills on time because of federal aid
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s newest campaign ad credits him for paying the state’s bills on time. The commercial fails to mention the influx of federal stimulus for the COVID-19 pandemic that kept Illinois’ finances afloat.
By Dylan Sharkey