‘Crime-Free Housing’ Rules Spread In Illinois
Many communities in Illinois have rules that say renters can lose their housing if someone in the home is connected to a crime. City leaders who back…
Public Airs Its Gratitude, Grievances Over Proposed Changes To Federal Waterway Regulations
The water we drink is protected by federal rules, which are at the crux of a long-running fight over how far upstream that protection extends. …
Out of Reach: Illinois’ Affordable Housing Crisis
Affordable housing issues often get media attention when property prices soar due to spiking economic development or when property prices tumble due to dramatic industry decline, but that narrative is incomplete. Lack of affordable housing affects communities of all types and sizes. Social service and health providers across the state pointed to housing insecurity as…
An Illinois Law Aims To Help Homeless Students — Is It Enough?
Last summer, Chantil was forced to leave the townhome she shared with her two daughters and her mother in Des Plaines. (We’re withholding Chantil’s last…
Why Even Illinois’s Department Of Corrections Wants To Fix The Way The State Does Electronic Monitoring
Nicole Davis said her uncle was diagnosed with late-stage cancer after his release from prison in 2014. He was confined to his home because of an electronic monitoring device strapped to his ankle. He missed many necessary doctor appointments before he died, Davis said. She said that’s because he couldn’t get permission from his parole…
Illinois Ag Director Wants Money For Rural Broadband
Slow internet service can slow a business down, adding up to lost time and money. And often the problem is worse in rural areas. That’s one reason John…
Making The Case For A Piece of Illinois’ Capital Plan
Crumbling sidewalks, gas line failures and cracked concrete — the problems at Brookfield Zoo are a metaphor for what’s wrong with public infrastructure…
Rural Hospitals’ Plea To Federal Government: Help Us Stay Open
Rural hospitals aren’t just providers of medicine and health care, but also are often major employers and a massive part of a town’s tax base. However,…
The Messy Technological Roots Of The U.S. Trade War With China
The U.S. trade war with China, now approaching a year, is often framed as hurting manufacturing and agriculture the most. But that’s mainly collateral…
Facing Lost Funds And Representation, Illinois Hopes It Can Count On You
Illinois’ population loss could be a warning for larger changes to come. Between July 2017 and July 2018, Illinois lost more than 45,000 people, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. It’s still the sixth-most populated state, but is one of only a handful of states that lost people over that time period. That means Illinois…
J.B. Pritzker Interview — On Criminal Justice, Higher Ed, Taxes, And Legislative Ethics
J.B. Pritzker is set to becomes the 43rd governor of Illinois on Monday. He won in part by promising to make college more affordable, improve the state…
What Do You Want To Know About Rebuilding Illinois’ Roads, Bridges And Infrastructure?
The need for new or repaired roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure in Illinois continues to outpace the amount of funding available to complete the projects. With a new governor and legislative session starting in January, discussions have already started with an aim to change that. Illinois Newsroom will follow negotiations of a capital plan….
Department of Corrections Director Blames Illinois Lawmakers For Lack Of Spending On Prison Books
Last spring, Illinois Newsroom reported that the Illinois Department of Corrections spent less than $300 on books for all of its prisons the prior year. In a recent interview, IDOC Director John Baldwin said state lawmakers dictate how the agency spends its money. Data obtained via an open records request shows the department used to…
Farm Bill Boosts Money To Rural Areas With Slow Or No Internet
Small internet service providers in Illinois are optimistic after the farm bill – which President Trump recently signed – included more money for…
High On The Highway: Challenges With Marijuana DUIs
Come January 14, Illinois will have a new pro-pot-legalization governor and a Democrat-held legislature, leading many to believe the state will legalize recreational cannabis. That’s exciting for some, concerning for others. At a recent “News & Brews” community event about what legalization may mean for Illinois, several attendees asked how police officers plan to deal…