IL homelessness prevention costs taxpayers over $600 million | Illinois
(The Center Square) – State and federal taxpayers are poised to spend more than $600 million on homeless prevention efforts in Illinois during the current fiscal year. A report released earlier this month by the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness said overall homelessness declined 6% between 2025 and […]
Illinois lawmaker pushes back on Durbin over immigration terminology, work permits | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker is pushing back against U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s comments about immigration terminology and work permits for people who are unlawfully present in the United States. State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, the Republican spokesperson for the Illinois House Immigration and Human Rights Committee, said the terminology used to describe […]
Racing board declines bankrupt applicant with track sold to data center builder | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Racing Board denied a request from Hawthorne Race Course to conduct horse races next year during its monthly meeting. It was not clear how or where the applicants would conduct races, as the Stickney course was sold earlier this year. Illinois Racing Board Executive Director Domenic DiCera said that […]
Building owners oppose Chicago renters ordinance | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council may vote on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s modified Protecting Renters Ordinance next Wednesday, but advocates for apartment and building owners are not on board. The council’s housing and real estate committee passed a modified version of the ordinance by a vote of 12 to 9 on Wednesday. The […]
Report: Speed cameras ticket drivers every 48 seconds | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new report says speed cameras in Chicago led to someone getting a ticket once every 48 seconds in 2025. Illinois Policy Institute analysis found that Chicago brought in $64.2 million in speed camera revenue last year, 25.7% more than the $59.6 million collected in 2024. “Chicago added 50 new speed […]
Diesel in Midwest could soon reach $7 after refinery issues | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Exxon Mobil fuel refinery southwest of Chicago went offline over the weekend, causing a halting of production and driving already heightened fuel costs even higher for Midwestern motorists, who likely won’t see prices ease until days later. The cost for a regular gallon of fuel in Illinois was $4.53 Tuesday, […]
Father pushes bill to change high school transfer rules | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois father says his daughter is at the center of legislation to shift transfer eligibility decisions from the Illinois High School Association to principals. Dan Matzen told The Center Square his daughter, Makayla, transferred from Morris Community High School to Yorkville Christian High School for reasons that did not involve […]
State ends FY26 with $1B in excess; other data shows Illinois ‘lags’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A state commission report showed Illinois brought in more revenue than expected to begin the 2027 fiscal year. A co-chair of the commission says the increase in funds and multiple new credit upgrades are in part a result of lawmakers adding and expanding taxes and fees for residents yearly. The Commission […]
NASCAR’s Chicago exit draws praise from Illinois fiscal advocate | Illinois
(The Center Square) – NASCAR will not return to the streets of downtown Chicago in 2027, a decision one Illinois fiscal policy advocate says could save taxpayers money as the city and state face ongoing budget pressures. The NASCAR Chicago Street Race debuted in 2023 and ran for three years through 2025. After taking a […]
091426 UNION GROWTH (copy) | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new study says union membership is rising and helping taxpayers along the way. The 12th annual State of the Unions study from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign said the U.S. added more than 411,000 union workers last […]