710k Illinoisans avoid work advancement to keep welfare benefits
710k Illinoisans avoid work advancement to keep welfare benefits
Welfare programs are structured poorly and punish people for working to climb out of poverty. An estimated 710,000 Illinoisans have intentionally hurt their own economic advancement to keep welfare benefits.
By Sachi Gaonkar
Illinois lawmakers making $128K for 70 days of work
Illinois lawmakers making $128K for 70 days of work
While Illinois families face one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates, the nation’s highest property taxes and the highest state and local tax burden, state lawmakers just gave themselves another raise. They get $128,000 for 70 days of work.
By Dylan Sharkey, Charlotte Rotkis
Testimony: Chicago cuts parking minimums near transit to boost housing affordability, availability
Testimony: Chicago cuts parking minimums near transit to boost housing affordability, availability
The Chicago City Council will allow residential developments near public transit to build without imposing parking space minimums, offering a major boost for affordability and the city’s housing supply.
By LyLena Estabine
Illinois loses 1,782 jobs, with 390 layoffs at Chicago job search firms Monster, CareerBuilder
Illinois loses 1,782 jobs, with 390 layoffs at Chicago job search firms Monster, CareerBuilder
Illinois saw 1,782 mass layoffs in June. Two merged Chicago job search firms, Monster and CareerBuilder, is sending 390 workers searching for new jobs.
By Brad Weisenstein
What you need to know about welfare work requirements in Illinois
What you need to know about welfare work requirements in Illinois
Congress just put work requirements in place for some receiving federal health care and food assistance benefits. What does that mean for the 1-in-4 Illinois residents currently on Medicaid?
By Jack Knorr
More Chicago suburbs pulling plug on red-light cameras
More Chicago suburbs pulling plug on red-light cameras
More Illinois suburbs are ditching red-light cameras. Drivers should celebrate after the devices have issued over $1.5 billion in fines and failed to make roads any safer.
By Dylan Sharkey
Congress gives school choice back to Illinois’ low-income students
Congress gives school choice back to Illinois’ low-income students
Illinois state lawmakers listened to teachers unions and killed school choice for over 15,000 low-income students in 2023. Now Congress has restored a scholarship program for needy kids, but Illinois leaders must allow families to access the money.
By Hannah Schmid
Chicago mayor pushes for granny flats citywide to boost affordable housing
Chicago mayor pushes for granny flats citywide to boost affordable housing
Legalizing additional dwelling units across Chicago would expand housing options, support families and boost affordability without changing the character of single-family neighborhoods. Chicago’s mayor is ready to move on the issue.
By LyLena Estabine
Illinois ranked No. 1 for cell phone taxes – before latest hike
Illinois ranked No. 1 for cell phone taxes – before latest hike
Illinoisans paid the highest state and local taxes for wireless cell phone services in the nation in 2024 – $136 per family more than the average. An increase in Illinois’ telecommunication tax July 1 just made them even higher.
By Charlotte Rotkis
Is Chicago Teachers Union about to grab more control of statewide union?
Is Chicago Teachers Union about to grab more control of statewide union?
Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery won’t be seeking reelection, and three other executive board members have submitted resignations. Those vacancies give the Chicago Teachers Union an opening to gain more power over the statewide union.
By Lilly Rossi
Pension debt limits teacher pay, hurts recruitment in Illinois
Pension debt limits teacher pay, hurts recruitment in Illinois
Money that could help address the teacher shortage is often the first to get cut in pursuit of keeping up with government pension debt. Supporting Illinois teachers will require constitutional pension reform and protecting Tier 2 cost savings.
By LyLena Estabine
37 states wouldn’t let Pritzker run for 3rd term in 2026
37 states wouldn’t let Pritzker run for 3rd term in 2026
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is running for a third term in 2026. In two-thirds of the states, term-limit laws would prevent him from running.
By Dylan Sharkey, Charlotte Rotkis