Report shows Illinois government pension crisis worst in U.S.

Illinois has the nation’s worst public pension crisis. Nationwide analysis from the Equable Institute shows Illinois state pensions remain fiscally unstable and threaten retirees and taxpayers, underscoring the need for reform. The Equable Institute’s …

5 new bills help fix Illinois education, but more is needed

About 2-in-5 Illinois elementary students can read at grade level, so there is a lot of room for improvement. Five new bills would improve student outcomes and parental involvement. Illinois lawmakers passed five education reforms focused on literacy, …

Illinois economy declines 2.2% in early 2025, one of biggest drops in U.S.

Illinois’ latest drop in gross domestic product shows broader issues with the state. The state’s real GDP has been struggling for years. Illinois’ real gross domestic product fell by 2.2% between January and March of 2025, according to latest data from the …

Investment in the Illinois State Fair continues

News Investment in the Illinois State Fair continues July 31, 2025 By Jared White Filed Under: Illinois, Livestock, News Several facility improvements will greet visitors to the 2025 Illinois State Fair.                 Kristi Jones, deputy director of the …

Illinois schools to offer universal mental health screenings under new law

Gov. JB Pritzker joined state officials on July 31 to sign legislation that will provide Illinois public schools with cost-free mental health screening tools for students across the state, according to a press release from Pritzker's office. " …

Boiler Alert - A Look at Illinois

Purdue gets a bye week after traveling to Notre Dame for their week 4 matchup. That means the team should be tan, rested, and ready, as Illinois comes to town to take on the Boilermakers. The Illini are currently in possession of the Cannon and so Purdue …

Illinois State Fair: Big acts, new events, new rules and lower prices

(The Center Square) – The Illinois State Fair opens Aug. 7 in Springfield, promising 11 days of concerts, livestock showcases, carnival rides and family-friendly fun with organizers putting extra emphasis this year on affordability. During a Thursday news …

Illinois Secures 11 Top Spots on Business Facilities’ Annual Report ​

Illinois ranked number one in nuclear energy with top-ten wins in other categories including: Foreign Direct Investment (#5), Agribusiness (#5), Exports (#5), Wind Power (#5), AI Job Hubs (#6), Cybersecurity Talent (#7), Solar Power (#7), Film and …

Bettendorf firefighters assist in Texas flood recovery with Illinois Task Force 1

Two Bettendorf firefighters joined Illinois Task Force 1 in Kerrville, Texas, to assist in flood-related search and recovery efforts amid dangerous conditions. DAVENPORT, Iowa — Two Bettendorf firefighters were recently deployed to Texas to assist in flood …

Illinois senators behind act demanding transparency in Epstein files