Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing
Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing
Nearly 9 in 10 of the Illinois job losses announced in November resulted from businesses closing. Chicago led the state for layoffs, followed by Rockford.
By Patrick Andriesen
Digital licenses, shampoo bottles, $15 wage: Illinois’ new laws for 2025
Digital licenses, shampoo bottles, $15 wage: Illinois’ new laws for 2025
New Years’ Day means hundreds of new laws on the books, including one allowing residents to get a digital version of their driver’s license.
By Dylan Sharkey
4,098 Chicagoans killed in gang crime in 20 years
4,098 Chicagoans killed in gang crime in 20 years
Chicago gang crime declined to its lowest level in the past two decades in 2023, but the numbers may be more about gangs fracturing and police losing their gang database. Still, more than 1-in-5 homicides were suspected of being gang related.
By Patrick Andriesen
Joel Hamernick
Joel Hamernick
After getting his start in the Cabrini Green public housing development, Joel Hamernick has spent 30 years working with gangs and neighborhood groups to prevent gun violence in Chicago. “About 20 years ago, the gangs in Chicago had a strong governmental hierarchy and a lot more structure. But today, almost none of that structure remains.”...
Bill would boost transparency of Illinois finances
Bill would boost transparency of Illinois finances
Illinois House Bill 5896 would require more detailed reporting of how Springfield spends taxpayer money. It improves transparency, which is a step toward fiscal restraint.
By Joe Tabor
Southwest suburban Cook County voters to take up pension reform, key state issues
Southwest suburban Cook County voters to take up pension reform, key state issues
Voters in Lemont Township are taking up the pension crisis, gerrymandering and unfunded mandates. The township voted to put three questions on the April 1 ballot to let state leaders know they expect progress on the issues.
By Dylan Sharkey
Where on Chicago Transit Authority are you most likely to be crime victim?
Where on Chicago Transit Authority are you most likely to be crime victim?
Chicago Transit Authority Green Line riders were the most likely to be crime victims for the 12 months ending in September. The most dangerous CTA stop had nearly 7 crimes per 100,000 riders compared to 1.3 systemwide.
By Patrick Andriesen
5 ways Illinois can learn from Colorado’s ‘blue state’ literacy reforms
5 ways Illinois can learn from Colorado’s ‘blue state’ literacy reforms
Colorado lawmakers passed an act in 2012 to focus on early literacy development and the science of reading. Its fourth graders are now in the Top 5 states for reading proficiency. Illinois can benefit from adopting five of their tactics.
By Hannah Schmid
Madigan tops naughty list of Illinois’ federal corruption targets in 2024
Madigan tops naughty list of Illinois’ federal corruption targets in 2024
The nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, a woman who called herself “super mayor” and a collection of other self-serving public servants are among the highest-profile corruption cases in decades. Here’s the naughty list for 2024.
By Patrick Andriesen
Rob McMillan
Rob McMillan
“I first started thinking about Dearborn Denim in 2014 because I wanted to get out of my job as a bond trader and start my own business.” “When I looked at apparel manufacturing, I realized you can manufacture in Chicago paying fair wages and sell directly to customers online and really shrink the supply chain...
Eggnog tax: Illinois to make $2.5B from alcohol, other sin taxes
Eggnog tax: Illinois to make $2.5B from alcohol, other sin taxes
You might celebrate the holiday season by indulging in not-so-healthy habits. State lawmakers are encouragingly discouraging you for the sake of their budget.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago Teachers Union took over Acero charter schools to stifle parents’ rights
Chicago Teachers Union took over Acero charter schools to stifle parents’ rights
The Chicago Teachers Union played a long game with Acero charter schools: unionizing them, undermining them and then taking them over. Now students and parents are left without the charter schools they chose.
By Mailee Smith