Lawmakers push for more transparency on Illinois State Board of Education spending
Lawmakers push for more transparency on Illinois State Board of Education spending
House Bill 2574 aims to empower parents and taxpayers with more access to information about the Illinois State Board of Education’s spending.
By Hannah Schmid
March Madness means $400 million in bets from Illinoisans
March Madness means $400 million in bets from Illinoisans
Illinoisans will wager roughly $400M during March Madness based on last year’s numbers. Sportsbooks in Illinois will also be paying a higher tax than ever before.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois job growth modest amid high unemployment, competitive market
Illinois job growth modest amid high unemployment, competitive market
Illinois’ unemployment improved somewhat in January. It ranked fifth highest in the nation after being third highest for months.
By Ravi Mishra
‘Homeschool Act’ attacks religious rights of homeschool, private school parents
‘Homeschool Act’ attacks religious rights of homeschool, private school parents
House Bill 2827 would require the collection of personal information – including religious affiliation – of private school and homeschool families all over the state. That violates families’ constitutional rights.
By Mailee Smith
Which teachers’ union affiliate represents your school district?
Which teachers’ union affiliate represents your school district?
Dues money collected by local teachers unions rarely stays local. Instead, money flows up to state or national affiliates, where the priorities are politics and union boss expenses – not representing teachers.
By Jess Plowman
Illinois might cap ticket resale prices, fees
Illinois might cap ticket resale prices, fees
Illinois lawmakers are considering new rules for buying and selling tickets to sporting events and concerts, including a cap on resale prices and fees.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois again considers taxing drivers per mile
Illinois again considers taxing drivers per mile
There’s another push in Springfield to tax motorists by the mile. Illinoisans already pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation behind only California.
By Dylan Sharkey
Angela Harris
Angela Harris
Angela Harris homeschools six children on the South Side of Chicago – two of her own, plus four cousins. She attended Cherry Pie Day at the state capitol to oppose House Bill 2827, which would force her family to register with the local public school. “I worked with families in social services, and even before...
Illinois might pay for Bears’ stadium – if they have winning seasons
Illinois might pay for Bears’ stadium – if they have winning seasons
A new bill in Springfield would require the Chicago Bears and other teams to have a few winning seasons before they can expect taxpayer help for stadiums.
By Dylan Sharkey
5 bills to push back against Illinois’ culture of political corruption
5 bills to push back against Illinois’ culture of political corruption
Legislation in the Illinois House would empower inspectors general, restrict lobbying by elected leaders, add protections against conflicts of interest and end last-minute amendments to legislation.
By Joe Tabor
Latasha Fields
Latasha Fields
Latasha Fields is a mom of four and homeschool advocate on the South Side of Chicago. She founded a homeschool co-op and a microschool to help other South Side families teach their children independently. She is one of hundreds of parents who rallied at the Statehouse in opposition to House Bill 2827, which intends to...
Chicago area gets over 96K international migrants in 2024; 238K since 2020
Chicago area gets over 96K international migrants in 2024; 238K since 2020
Chicagoland’s population has been boosted by international migrants in recent years. But 347,000 residents left for other states since April 2020.
By Bryce Hill
64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024
64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024
While Illinois’ total population grew slightly last year, many areas of the state experienced population decline. People moved out of state from half the counties.
By Bryce Hill
Figure out if there’s a problem before boosting Illinois pensions
Figure out if there’s a problem before boosting Illinois pensions
Without careful evaluation of whether Illinois’ pensions for newer employees are running afoul of federal rules or what the penalties would be, spending $78 million from the state’s budget is premature and wasteful.
By LyLena Estabine