Naperville mayor: ‘It’s time to drop the mask mandate in Illinois’
Naperville mayor: ‘It’s time to drop the mask mandate in Illinois’
The mayor of Illinois’ third-largest city, Naperville, said it is time for Illinois to drop its statewide indoor mask mandate. Illinois is the only state east of the Mississippi with an indoor mask mandate regardless of vaccination status.
By Patrick Andriesen
Ulysses Salamanca: Flash Taco
Ulysses Salamanca: Flash Taco
“We have a slogan that we live by: ‘Life without Mexican food is no life at all.’"
Illinois gains small businesses, but restaurants still slow to rebound
Illinois gains small businesses, but restaurants still slow to rebound
This Small Business Saturday, Illinois has more entrepreneurs than before the COVID-19 pandemic. But the recovery has been uneven as some types of small businesses struggle and many jobs are missing as Illinois lags the national rebound.
Voters being asked to change Illinois Constitution to benefit one group
Voters being asked to change Illinois Constitution to benefit one group
Special interest groups shouldn’t be singled out for protection in the Illinois Constitution, but state lawmakers are asking voters to change that. If passed, Amendment 1 would protect government unions at the expense of everyone else.
By Dylan Sharkey
Government unions dictate when Illinois Constitution needs changes
Government unions dictate when Illinois Constitution needs changes
In 2022, Illinois voters will face the biggest union power grab yet.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families
Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families
Kiplinger report finds Illinois’ sales, income and property taxes on middle-income families rank among the highest in the nation, making prospective residents think twice about moving to the state.
By Patrick Andriesen
Women driving Illinois’ labor market recovery
Women driving Illinois’ labor market recovery
Illinois’ labor market has heated up, gaining 40,900 jobs in October. It was the largest increase in 2021 as women, especially minority women, returned to work
By Orphe Divounguy
Food stamps put Thanksgiving on more Illinois tables
Food stamps put Thanksgiving on more Illinois tables
Illinoisans are more likely to give thanks that their Thanksgiving meal was purchased with food stamps than in any surrounding state. As the national participation declines, SNAP in Illinois has grown.
By Dylan Sharkey
Statewide COVID-19 school mandates draw ire of superintendents
Statewide COVID-19 school mandates draw ire of superintendents
A group of school district superintendents called on the Illinois State Board of Education to oppose statewide mask and other mandates, letting local schools decide how best to handle COVID-19 mitigation.
By Patrick Andriesen
Equating parents with terrorists leads Illinois Association of School Boards to quit U.S. group
Equating parents with terrorists leads Illinois Association of School Boards to quit U.S. group
The Illinois Association of School Boards is among 15 state boards to terminate their National School Boards Association membership after the national group sent a letter to President Biden asking that upset parent be monitored as domestic terrorists.
By Patrick Andriesen
Crestwood mayor resigns, pleads guilty to red-light camera bribery
Crestwood mayor resigns, pleads guilty to red-light camera bribery
Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta pleaded guilty to bribery, lying to federal authorities and tax charges as part of a pay-to-play red-light camera scheme. The cameras took $1 billion from Illinois drivers in a decade.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois highways come with high costs, poor conditions, report finds
Illinois highways come with high costs, poor conditions, report finds
Taxpayers pay too much for the rough conditions they find on Illinois roads, according to a report by the Reason Foundation. Bad pavement and too much congestion come with upkeep costs that are among the highest in the U.S.
By Patrick Andriesen