Illinois eyes taxing drivers by the mile — rather than by the gallon of gas
As engines become more fuel efficient, and electric vehicles make greater inroads , Illinois faces an unexpected consequence — less funding for roads.
Small town grocery stores face unique challenges. Some Midwest states are trying to help
More states in the Midwest and Great Plains are trying to support rural, independent grocery stores through tailored grant programs.
State lawmakers brace for possible federal cuts to Medicaid
Democrats warn of widespread consequences; Republicans call hearings ‘performative’
Legislative revenue estimate more than $700M lower than Pritzker’s proposed budget
Forecasters predict revenue growth in current fiscal year will miss the mark.
US tariffs take effect and Mexico, Canada and China retaliate with their own tariffs on the US
Starting just past midnight Tuesday, imports from Canada and Mexico are now taxed at 25%, with Canadian energy products subject to 10% import duties. In addition, the 10% tariff that Trump placed on Chinese imports in February was doubled to 20%.
Carle to close Health Alliance insurance plans, citing financial challenges
The Urbana-based hospital system announced Tuesday that both Health Alliance and its sister company FirstCarolinaCare will cease operations at the start of 2026.
Midwest biofuel industry hopes to gain more miles under Trump’s new term, but uncertainty remains
Biofuel advocates calling on the new administration to increase ethanol and biodiesel volumes in the country’s fuel supply, expand E15 gasoline and clarify tax credits.
Trump tariffs could impact hundreds of billions of dollars of trade in Illinois
Canada and Mexico are among Illinois’ top trading partners
The Latest: Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Mexico for a month
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump have agreed to put planned tariffs on hold for a month. Trump’s tariffs against Canada and China are still slated to go into effect on Tuesday.
Trump puts tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, spurring trade war as North American allies respond
President Donald Trump has signed an order to impose stiff tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China, drawing swift retaliation from the U.S.’s North American neighbors in an emerging trade war.
Egg prices are soaring again. Here’s why and what to expect
Bird flu has killed millions of hens in recent weeks, shrinking the supply of eggs and hiking up prices at grocery stores.
Experience CU kicks off the year promoting non-alcoholic beverages with the Mocktail Trail
Experience CU has launched the CU Mocktail Trail, highlighting businesses with alcohol-free drinks to kick off “Dry January,”
Turkey is Thanksgiving’s iconic centerpiece. But in recent years it’s started to slip from the menu
It’s been a tradition to eat turkey for Thanksgiving since the 1800s. But one economic report suggests the custom has lost footing in recent years.
Hemp growers push back against proposed new regulations
A legislative committee and the Illinois Department of Agriculture agreed recently to delay finalizing new regulations governing hemp production amid an outcry of protests from small, independent producers.
Illinois faces a $3 billion shortfall in 2026, a new report shows
If the projections hold true, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker could face difficult financial decisions, from increasing taxes to cutting spending. The relative financial calm that has marked Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s six years in office may soon be coming to a close as his administration Friday forecast a more than $3 billion budget shortfall for the…