Report: Unelected officials take top salaries | National
(The Center Square) – Some of the highest-paid state executives across the country in 2025 were unelected education officials, according to a new report. Ballotpedia curated a report detailing the salaries of top-ranking state officials across the country in 2025. The list found that nine of the top 10 highest paid officials were appointed to their […]
Expert: School districts should justify administrative spending before seeking more funds | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois school districts are asking taxpayers for additional funding as some superintendents receive compensation approaching $600,000, prompting questions about whether districts are sufficiently scrutinizing administrative spending before seeking more money from taxpayers. Ted Dabrowski, founder of Fight for Illinois, said superintendent compensation should be examined alongside student outcomes and overall district […]
Illinois again denied FEMA aid for summer storms | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois was again denied federal aid that would have helped residents impacted by severe storms in recent months was rejected by the federal government. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced Thursday afternoon that the request for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency over multiple severe weather systems and a derecho that […]
Cook County leader suggests future tax hikes at budget address | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has proposed a smaller budget for fiscal year 2027 than the county had in 2026, but her Libertarian opponent says there will be future tax increases if county government does not change course. Preckwinkle unveiled a $9.69 billion spending plan on Thursday, down from $10.12 billion […]
Legislators weigh data center issues as Pritzker pushes POWER Act | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Local officials in Central Illinois have been deterred from continuing talks to develop a data center after community pushback and concern over the potential a new project could compromise the source of drinking water for over one million residents. Community members in Mahomet pushed their public officials to end discussion with […]
Illinois quick hits: Du Quoin state fair attendance rises | Illinois
Du Quoin state fair attendance rises The Du Quoin State Fair set an attendance record for the second consecutive year in 2026, but the Illinois State Fair in Springfield saw a modest decline. According to a statement from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office, the Du Quoin State Fair drew 287,058 visitors, up from 282,202 in 2025. […]
Late speaker Hastert came from Illinois ‘culture of corruption’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert died on Saturday at the age of 84, following an Illinois political career that included criminal behavior. Hastert spent four years in the Illinois House and 20 years in Congress, including eight years at speaker from 1999 to 2007. In 2016, the Plano Republican was convicted […]
Pumpkin production rises ahead of weather-challenged harvest | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois pumpkin production increased in 2025, but weather brought a mixed bag for growers this year. The USDA’s Economic Research Service said Illinois produced about 533 million pounds last year, up from 485 million in 2024 and far more than any other state. Illinois also maintained its leading position in pumpkin […]
School districts shifted funds, planned for higher fuel costs for buses | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Last year, Illinois schools spent $1.86 billion on transportation to get students to and from school each day. In the wake of increased fuel prices, especially for diesel that school buses typically run on, school districts across the country began bracing for even higher costs. Noelle Ellerson Ng, chief advocacy and […]
Chicago mayor to stay involved in Bears talks | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was left out of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s recent meeting with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers, but the mayor said his administration will remain involved with discussions over a potential stadium project for the Bears. A reporter asked the mayor on Friday if he had been […]