Estimated $17B in tariff costs hit Illinois producers, consumers | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A U.S. taxpayer advocate says tariffs are hitting manufacturers and producers, leading to higher costs for Illinois families. According to estimates prepared by Trade Partnership Worldwide for the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, executive tariffs have cost Illinois an estimated $17 billion since January 2025. Bryan Riley, director of the National Taxpayers […]
Illinois quick hits: Man charged with murdering Chicago mail carrier | Illinois
Pritzker names new IDNR leader Gov. J.B. Pritzker has appointed Jim Montgomery to serve as the new director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, effective Monday, August 31 and pending Senate approval. Montgomery previously worked as executive director of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. He was mayor of Taylorville from 1997-2005. Man charged with […]
Pritzker mocks Trump’s renaming of Lake Ontario amid trade discussion breakdown | Illinois
(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday renaming Lake Ontario, the smallest of the Great Lakes by surface area, to Lake America. With Canada as Illinois’ top international trade partner, the largely symbolic renaming is part of a wider economic story. Trump explained his reasoning for the renaming Thursday. “We’re […]
Report: Chicago TIFs drove up taxes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – According to a new report from the University of Illinois Chicago, tax increment financing has led to significantly higher property taxes in the city. Juan D. González, report author and senior fellow at UIC’s Great Cities Institute, said TIFs began as a well-intentioned and innovative method to revitalize neighborhoods and finance […]
Johnson’s order could make contractors ‘revisit’ practices | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says his administration wants to know if city contractors reflect the diversity of the people whose tax dollars pay for their work. Johnson signed an executive order Wednesday to establish new procurement standards for companies that do business with Chicago. The order requires current contractors and subcontractors […]
Chicago to refinance, but long-term issues remain | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson says his administration has identified a way to reduce its budget shortfall for the current fiscal year. The mayor said the city would refinance eligible bonds at their 10-year option point to save up to $71 million without increasing debt costs. The other part of the plan, if necessary, […]
State Rep accused of sexual harassment, office drug use by former staffer | Illinois
(The Center Square) – State Rep. Amy Murri Briel, D-Ottowa, is the latest lawmaker subject to allegations of ethics violations and inappropriate behavior in office after a former staffer went public with allegations including drug use and sexual harassment. Laura Jackson, Briel’s former chief of staff and campaign staffer, went public Thursday through the campaign […]
Lawmaker: Tyson closure shows Illinois is losing jobs to other states | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois state Sen. Chris Balkema says Tyson Foods’ decision to close its Joslin beef processing plant is another warning sign that Illinois needs to improve its business climate. Tyson announced the closure as part of a restructuring of its beef operations, affecting more than 2,500 Illinois workers and shifting production to […]
Report: Illinois tops nation in debt ratio | Illinois
(The Center Square) – According to a new report on financial red flags, Illinois has a higher debt ratio than any other state and Chicago is the most financially tenuous place in America. Reason Foundation used audited financial reports from state governments and the nation’s 100 largest cities, counties and school districts to evaluate them […]
Third Dem exits House ‘accountability’ working group | Illinois
(The Center Square) – At the Illinois State Fair this week, controversy surrounding ethics, transparency and complaints against lawmakers followed politicians from the State Capitol to the state fairgrounds just 3 miles north. A “workplace culture and accountability” working group was created by House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch in response to issues of sexual harassment […]