Chicago might join 209 voting to tax groceries: is your town on list?

By Dylan Sharkey, Charlotte Rotkis

06/10/2025

Over 200 Illinois towns have opted to charge a 1% grocery tax. Chicago is likely to follow. Local leaders have until October to decide whether to impose this regressive tax on people’s need to eat.

TAGS: grocery tax

105 Illinois towns pass grocery taxes. Did yours?

By Dylan Sharkey

05/02/2025

Many Illinois towns are rushing to extend the 1% grocery tax. See below if your town is one of them. The statewide tax ends in 2026, but local governments can choose to retain it without asking their residents for permission.

TAGS: grocery tax

Bensenville voters reject grocery tax with 90% voting ‘no’

By Dylan Sharkey

04/03/2025

With 90% voting “no,” Bensenville voters shot down a grocery tax proposal. Illinois’ statewide grocery tax is ending at the end of 2025, but some local leaders want it to stay.

TAGS: grocery tax

Bensenville asking voters about grocery tax; what’s your town’s plan?

By Dylan Sharkey

03/24/2025

Voters near O’Hare International Airport will have a chance to weigh in on whether to keep or cut the 1% grocery tax. The statewide tax ends in 2026, but nearly 50 communities have already passed their own 1% grocery tax.

TAGS: grocery tax

46 towns have passed a grocery tax. Is your town next?

By Dylan Sharkey

01/16/2025

Already 46 towns around Illinois have voted to impose a 1% grocery tax in 2026. Other Illinoisans will start to save 1% on groceries when the statewide tax ends.

TAGS: grocery tax

Pekin passes grocery tax, taking away $1M in savings for shoppers

By Dylan Sharkey

11/15/2024

Pekin and Normal have joined the list of local governments passing ordinances to replace the 1% statewide grocery tax when it expires.

TAGS: grocery tax

Palos Park, another Chicago suburb might tax residents’ groceries

By Dylan Sharkey

11/07/2024

Palos Park residents have a chance to save 1% on groceries starting in 2026, but the City Council is considering taking that away and taxing groceries. A series of towns are considering a local grocery tax.

TAGS: grocery tax

Another Illinois town has passed a grocery tax. Is yours next?

By Dylan Sharkey

10/30/2024

Another Illinois town voted to pass a local grocery tax. See how much grocery shoppers in your community could lose if your local leaders also impose the tax.

TAGS: grocery tax

2 Illinois cities passed local grocery taxes. Is your town next?

By Dylan Sharkey

10/03/2024

Illinois towns have started passing local grocery taxes that will take affect once the state grocery tax phases out in 2026. Will your town be next?

TAGS: grocery tax

Highland could be first Illinois city to add a local grocery tax

By Dylan Sharkey

08/28/2024

Illinois’ statewide grocery tax is on its way out, but your local government may add its own. Highland, Illinois, could be the first to do so.

TAGS: grocery tax

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students