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Top Illinois Stories
Illinois taxpayers spend more than double the national average on a higher education system whose students continue to face some of the nation’s highest tuition. House Bill 5037, introduced by Rep. Jeff Keicher, would examine whether state funding supports educational outcomes and long-term workforce needs.
Americans for Prosperity Illinois Deputy State Director Brian Costin said 24 Illinois school districts and other taxing bodies credited consultants they hired with helping pass a combined projected total of $3.4 billion in tax collections through referendums. Costin said that would be a violation of the state ethics act by spending public funds on what he categorized as thinly disguised campaigns to get voters to approve tax and bond referendums.
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An Illinois Senate Democrat is furious that State Farm is raising homeowner insurance rates by 8 percent just months after massive insurance reforms were signed into law. Sen. Michael Hastings is now calling for lawmakers to pass stronger consumer protection plans.
Gov. JB Pritzker was critical of the agency in June: “FEMA is a mess. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, they've cut back significantly on the support that they give when there are emergencies. They are slow in responding with the dollars that they promise. And there are only so many dollars that a state has for what should be covered."
"According to Wirepoints, Illinois continues to hemorrhage wealthy residents. Since 2000, the state has lost roughly 1.6 million people — third most in the nation, behind only California and New York. Chicago’s population, even with the recent influx of migrants, is now at its lowest level in nearly a century. Almost every county in Illinois has experienced a decline in population."
Retired Chief of Police Tom Weitzel: "I have reached the end of my patience. I have spent nearly four decades in law enforcement, and I believe in due process. I believe defendants are entitled to their constitutional rights and that judges must make individualized decisions. But public safety cannot be an afterthought, and accountability cannot be optional in the criminal-justice system."
At the Governors’ Summit on the State of PJM in Chicago Thursday, Gov. JB Pritzker and 12 other governors agreed to a memorandum of understanding that formally created the PJM Governors’ Collaborative organization, which they say will increase coordinated efforts between states to lower energy costs.
The censors who walk sanctimoniously among us are not conservatives—not by a long shot. The censors are the ones who lie through their teeth as the claim to “honor all voices,” delight in diversity, treasure inclusion, and cherish “representation.”
FEMA granted Indiana’s request Aug. 25 for federal help following the same Aug. 11 storm which left many Illinois residents just across the state line without power for weeks. It’s the third time FEMA has denied a request from Illinois since Trump took office again in 2025.
A $144 million rate hike would raise the average residential bill by as much as $8 starting in January. It wasn’t immediately clear what impact a $66 million hike would have.
“Adding more long-term commitments just to subsidize a football stadium, whether it's privately or publicly owned, it just doesn't make any sense,” said John Mozena, president of The Center for Economic Accountability.
The state’s annual wagering report shows tax revenues from casinos, sports gambling, slot machines and the lottery exceeded $2.7 billion. It marks a 90 percent increase from fiscal year 2019, the final year before the state approved a massive gambling expansion aimed at raising revenue for the state’s ongoing capital infrastructure plan.
Jim Dey: "While Republicans feud among themselves in their zeal to keep losing elections, Illinois Democrats keep moving further left, piling one tax increase on top of another to fund expanded social-welfare programs even as the state’s finances are in a shambles. All that leaves Democrats self-satisfied, Republicans wrestling with anger and dismay and regular Illinoisans stuck in the middle with just one option — either grin and bear it or move to more welcoming climes."
The Illinois law is already the subject of a challenge alleging that it violates the Internet Tax Freedom Act, Commerce Clause, Due Process Clause, and First Amendment.
"She is clearly relying on the state's left-wing electorate to protect her from any criticism. And she certainly knows that the compliant media won't ding her for refusing to meet her opponent in a frank and honest debate."
A massive T5 data center is being built on 473 acres of land. While the village is touting an estimated $18 billion in private investment, people who live around the land said it was approved without them being given an opportunity to give feedback about the huge project.
The survey of 569 Illinois voters also found larger Democratic margins among voters most enthusiastic about casting ballots this fall.
“With federally indicted County Clerk Aaron Ammons overseeing the response, the Attorney General’s Office should step in immediately to ensure every voter receives the correct ballot and every valid vote
Mailee Smith, of the Illinois Policy Institute: "Illinois could soon be ground zero for government-mandated arbitrators dictating provisions in private school union contracts. That could include provisions governing locker rooms, keeping secrets from parents and other social issues that have little to do with traditional bargaining."
State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer introduced a bill Friday that would put regulatory control in the hands of county officials. Davidsmeyer’s bill specifically allows counties to pass ordinances establishing standards for things such as the height, size, location, water usage and more, while also requiring a public hearing at least 30 days before a final vote on regulations.
The governor’s executive order directs the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Illinois State Police not to impose penalties for selling or using dyed diesel fuel through Dec. 31. Pritzker’s order also directs the Illinois Department of Transportation to consider extending the Illinois Harvest Permit program, which allows heavier truck weights on specified routes, into 2027.
Retired Chief of Police Tom Weitzel: "Every chief I know supports more funding for mental-health response. I certainly did in Riverside. ... The problem is not that the DSA wants those things. The problem is that it wants them instead of a police department, not alongside one."
Jim Dey: "The Legislative Black Caucus has announced it will tolerate no major changes in the law. Gov. JB Pritzker, who is running for his third term, has embraced only undefined 'tweaks' in the law. Any Democrats who support a more expansive re-write of the legislation are keeping their thoughts to themselves."
JB Pritzker entered office as Illinois was already struggling with outmigration. He identified reversing it as a goal in his 2019 economic plan. Nearly eight years later, that has not happened.
U.S. Rep. Mary Miller introduced the Yaeli Martinez Child Protection Act Monday. The measure would bar federally funded state child welfare systems from removing children from fit parents simply because the parents affirm their child’s biological sex.
Part of Illinois' $55.9 billion state budget includes a pause of a scheduled increase for the statewide gas tax. The Motor Fuel Tax was scheduled to increase by 1.3 cents on July 1, but the approved budget pauses the increase for six months, pushing it to January.
Huynh said he’s faced anti-Asian sentiment throughout his time campaigning and serving in political office, but it escalated after video of his interaction with armed ICE agents went viral. But a Freedom of Information Act request placed with Chicago and state police did not return records pertaining to threats made against Huynh or his office between October 2025 and March 2026.
"If we begin removing the resources we rely on prematurely, we are risking long-term stability. A stronger, more resilient energy future keeps all options on the table, including natural gas, renewables, and nuclear energy, as we look to grid modernization, advanced energy technologies, and responsible infrastructure development."
Top Chicago Stories
“Neighborhoods with the greatest infrastructure needs should not face additional barriers to securing essential public investment,” Mayor Brandon Johnson wrote in his veto letter to the city clerk. “Delaying infrastructure projects can increase construction costs, worsen deterioration and ultimately cost taxpayers more. While this ordinance increases a voting threshold, it does not put into place any additional measures around debt affordability, reporting requirement or financial oversight.”
He said he will use his 2027 budget to level the playing field that has allowed corporations to make “more money ... than they’ve ever made in the history of the world,” including the “free labor period of slavery,” while working people “are standing in lines for food.” ![Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks to members of the media on June 16, 2026, at Chicago City Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/TNS) (Newscom TagID: krtphotoslive966994.jpg) [Photo via Newscom]](https://www.chicagobusiness.com/resizer/v2/IAINQGTHA5EUTBGHJ47QXTAJHM.jpg?focal=2722%2C705&auth=5e100209964f5c8d7d7c5e441fa7a8b12e7b6c22f081023b2b99023107f58e26&width=4784&height=2691)
More Highlighted Chicago Area Stories
Smart Streets is projected to bring in millions for the city, on top of the $2.5 million the pilot has raised since its inception two years ago. City officials on Friday estimated the expanded program could garner approximately $6.1 million in net revenue in 2027.
Evanston Ald. Clare Kelly and some residents had argued that if fines were calculated from when the buildings had first gone vacant — rather than from when the city first cited the university for the violations — the fines could total several million dollars.
Court records show the suspect failed to appear in court June 1 for two felony retail theft cases, prompting a judge to issue arrest warrants. Both cases also constituted violations of probation he received in a separate misdemeanor shoplifting case. After he failed to appear in that matter, a judge signed another warrant September 24.
Under the proposal, Business Affairs and Consumer Protection would be able to force operational adjustments on businesses aimed at addressing nuisances, including adding security, restricted hours, parking controls, outdoor lighting and security cameras. Failure to follow those requirements could eventually be used to fine, suspend or revoke a business’s license.
Chicago officials must now come up with another $49.1 million to fill the city’s gap, records show. Even if the debt refinancing had brought it as much revenue as Johnson had hoped, the mayor had proposed using the $6 million and $10 million left from Chicago’s $1.9 billion share of the federal relief package known as the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA.
“Ultimately, people need to know, we're talking about just barely two miles worth of sewers and a water retention basin,” said Jill Shestokas, one of three Republican candidates running for three open Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner seats. “Now, at the beginning of when they started this project to when they're now estimating it could be completed is 11 years.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s removal of the broad relocation mandate addressed a major problem in the original ordinance. The remaining guidelines still merit scrutiny.
“In the years ahead, we will need to consider additional revenue to preserve the health care safety net, public safety and other essential services our residents depend on,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said.
The U.S. Marshals Service said the fugitives were wanted in cases involving sexual assault, dangerous drugs and weapons. Investigators said the targets were living in or using government-subsidized housing communities.
The workers pointed to former President Barack Obama's own words from a 2016 letter encouraging Americans to join unions: "If I were looking for a good job that lets me build some security for my family, I’d join a union. If I saw a problem in my workplace, I’d organize my coworkers to do something about it."
Nearly two years after its 21 members were seated — and just three weeks before a consequential election — the Chicago school board finally put its three standing committees on finance, operations and student success to work. It’s unclear why the Board of Education took so long to form the committees, even though its bylaws require them.
“If it’s not being used and there are … clear opportunities ... the city is missing. That’s something that I would expect us to point out as well because the city is facing tremendous financial pressure,” Inspector General David Glockner said.
A 41-year-old CTA worker and an unknown male suspect engaged in a "verbal altercation" around 3 p.m. that turned physical, and the unidentified man pulled out a "sharp object" and stabbed the CTA worker in the neck before fleeing the scene, police said.
The proposed budget would also double Evanston’s tax on streaming services to 10 percent, matching Chicago’s rate. It would also raise the city’s rideshare tax from 20 cents to 50 cents per ride. The tax on natural gas use would double, and the tax on real estate transfers valued at more than $1.5 million would also increase. Water rates would increase by 25 percent, and residential garbage fees would increase by 9 percent.
CPD’s overtime costs have soared because officers’ salaries and benefits have gone up significantly while the number of CPD members has decreased by approximately 1,200 employees since 2019, department officials have told the City Council.
The City of Chicago has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Flock, which allows CPD officers to log in to Flock Safety’s portal and gain access to data being shared by surrounding communities. The city is paying CDW-G, a tech reseller and middleman for government agencies, to continue gaining access to Flock’s data. Not having a city contract means there are minimal local rules or oversight requirements in place governing how Chicago officers search, access, or retain that data.
The Finance Department strategy includes 13 new tax auditors brought on to find delinquent entities, like large corporations, and bringing that missing revenue back into the city. Last month, the city announced a recovery of $32.2 million from two large corporations that had been underpaying their city taxes.
The county took a major budget hit earlier this year when a Cook County Circuit Court judge found that the Preckwinkle administration improperly used hundreds of millions of dollars in transportation tax revenue on offices they argued enforced “the rules of the road.”
"I cannot control the behavior of individuals on a public sidewalk or street," small business owner Emily Young said. "I cannot prevent every instance of loitering, public drinking, or criminal activity that may occur near my business. Yet under this proposal, those circumstances could result in additional operating requirements, substantial fines, and potential consequences for my license."
Richard Porter: "As the cost of delusions – beliefs at odds with observable reality – falls to zero, it’s no surprise that we have more fantastical thinking, particularly in progressive precincts where reality has become merely a construct."
The 14 housing units were funded by $5.4 million from Missing Middle, according to the city. The initiative sells city-owned lots to developers for $1, with the city subsidizing up to $150,000 per new housing unit. Funding for subsidies comes from Johnson’s $1.25 billion Housing and Economic Development Bond.
Johnson made clear he still backs the former deputy political director for the Chicago Teachers Union, now under investigation for sexually harassing a minor in 2017. "Look, I do support Hilario Dominguez," the mayor said. "The stakes are incredibly high. I think it's important that we have people in office who understand that our values have to be front and center, particularly our values as it relates to how we invest in our public education."
Those workers said they face increasing workloads, rolled back benefits and high turnover, according to the letter. "Due to this unsustainable work environment, many of our skilled, passionate colleagues continue to leave, taking with them their institutional knowledge and expertise."
Flock cameras in Chicago are privately owned — landlords, businesses, etc. — through subscriptions that cost thousands of dollars each year. The camera owner decides whether the data can be shared with other agencies. Audit logs obtained after months of requests show CPD officers ran more than 23,000 searches through Flock from May through July 2026.
"The Federal Government can extinguish it quickly and completely, but the Mayor of Chicago, or the Governor of Illinois, must ask for our help," President Donald Trump posted early Tuesday.
The city's agreement to settle the cases comes despite still-pending efforts by lawyers representing police officer defendants and the city itself to defeat the cases in court and despite efforts by current Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke to oppose some of the plaintiffs' efforts to secure so-called certificates of innocence (COI).
Wirepoints Research and Commentary
To top it off, Stratton is funded mostly by Gov. JB Pritzker, who has long purported to be a rock solid supporter of Israel's right to exist. El-Sayed is anything but. 
What Pritzker doesn't tell you that it cost taxpayers billions, not millions, in higher taxes to get those upgrades, vastly exceeding the savings. SIGN UP HERE FOR FREE WIREPOINTS DAILY NEWSLETTER
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Ballots start going out next week and Stratton has yet even to attempt to show that she’s qualified for the Senate. She has assessed that Illinois' media environment and one-party political culture will let her get away with hiding. 
State investment totals have skyrocketed since 2015 from about $10 billion to over $41 billion and political abuse of the money has been common. The money is currently returning just 3.7% per year.
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