Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Grocery bills have increased by nearly $3,000 in just 4 years

Grocery bills have increased by nearly $3,000 in just 4 years

Consumers have been hammered with inflation on groceries during the past four years. Illinois was heading in the right direction by eliminating the tax on them, but now communities are faced with either imposing a new grocery tax or losing the money.

By Ravi Mishra

What to know about Illinois education as students head back to school

What to know about Illinois education as students head back to school

Students in Illinois are steadily returning to class across Illinois’ 852 school districts, where improvement is needed on the 35% of elementary students who can read at grade level. What to know about how well the state’s public schools are preparing students for life.

By Hannah Schmid

Illinois No. 2 in nation for highest gas taxes

Illinois No. 2 in nation for highest gas taxes

Only California has higher gasoline taxes than Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s automatic gas tax boost just bumped the rate to 47 cents per gallon. It was 19 cents before Pritzker took office.

By Dylan Sharkey

Chicago has more public pension debt than 43 states

Chicago has more public pension debt than 43 states

Chicago’s pension systems for city workers have $51 billion in debt, so much that they are in worse shape than 43 states. Fixing them requires Chicago’s mayor to push for a change in the Illinois Constitution.

By Ravi Mishra