O’Hare one of worst airports for wait times ahead of Thanksgiving travel

By Dylan Sharkey

11/21/2024

Chicago’s O’Hare Airport is one of the toughest for waiting in long lines, according to a study of the nation’s biggest airports. Motorists dealing with Illinois’ second-highest gas taxes won’t fare much better hitting the road.

TAGS: O'Hare International Airport, Thanksgiving

Over 1M Illinois families rely on food stamps for Thanksgiving dinner

By Dylan Sharkey

11/21/2023

More than 1 million Illinois households will rely on federal food assistance for Thanksgiving. Eliminating the grocery tax could help those relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

TAGS: Thanksgiving

Illinois’ 2nd-highest gas taxes drive up Thanksgiving travel costs

By Dylan Sharkey

11/20/2023

More than 55 million people are traveling for Thanksgiving this year, according to AAA. Illinois motorists can avoid the nation’s second-highest gas taxes by filling up in other states.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, taxes, Thanksgiving

Illinois Thanksgiving travelers pay 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

11/23/2022

AAA predicts nearly 55 million people will travel for Thanksgiving this year, only 2% less than Thanksgiving travel in 2019. Illinoisans hitting the road should try to fill up in other states.

TAGS: gas tax, Thanksgiving

Illinois food assistance rate 6th-highest in nation

By Patrick Andriesen

11/17/2022

Thanksgiving will come from SNAP benefits for 1 in 6 Illinoisans this year. That is the nation’s sixth-highest rate, with inflation and a recession looming.

TAGS: Illinois, Thanksgiving

Food stamps put Thanksgiving on more Illinois tables

By Dylan Sharkey

11/22/2021

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.

TAGS: food stamps, Illinois, Thanksgiving

Expect higher gas prices, more drivers this Thanksgiving in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

11/17/2021

AAA’s Thanksgiving travel forecast predicts national driving rates will rebound to near pre-pandemic levels this holiday. For Illinoisans visiting family in the coming weeks, that trip will be cheaper if they can fill up out of state.

TAGS: gas prices, Illinois, Thanksgiving

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

Illinois finds itself at a crossroads: will it empower minorities and poor people to unleash their potential, or will it perpetuate an inequitable status quo? For far too many Illinoisans, opportunity is unfairly and unnecessarily out of reach. Illinois ranks in the bottom ten among all states in social mobility and last among Midwest states...

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Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

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Brandi Lentz

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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