Illinois speaker’s role in jeopardy as 26 Democrats call for new leader

(The Center Square) – As Democrats in the Illinois House of Representatives gained multiple seats in this week’s election, a third of the caucus is looking to oust their current leader in the next term.

Questions persist as student metrics improve

(The Center Square) – The Illinois State Board of Education’s latest Illinois Report Card shows improved student achievement numbers, but it is not clear if billions of additional taxpayer dollars helped fuel the academic gains.

Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois flash index rises

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Flash Index increased from 101.5 in September to 101.7 in October, reflecting continued strength in state revenues and an improving labor market.

Video shows high-altitude rescue of hiker who fell hundreds of feet down Utah's Mount Timpanogos

Dramatic helicopter rescue video shows the moment a hiker was hoisted from a narrow cliff ledge after falling hundreds of feet on Mount Timpanogos.

Escaped Tennessee killer hid in Illinois shed with beer and garlic bread before capture: Sheriff

Jacob Allen Morley hid in an Illinois shed near Marion, drinking beer and making garlic bread before FLOCK cameras helped track the Tennessee escapee.

Marine veteran working security hailed as hero after stopping active shooter at Florida Citibank campus

Florida Marine veteran John Fraley took a tactical position in a restroom and shot the Citibank Center campus gunman five times, the sheriff said.

Do Opportunity Zones lift up lower-income residents?

The evidence shows the program attracts money and erects buildings more reliably than it lifts the people already living there, and it’s performed especially unimpressively in Illinois.

The post Do Opportunity Zones lift up lower-income residents? appeared first on Illinois Policy.

How Illinois and Chicago can improve the climate for starting a business

The state ranked 45th last year for entrepreneurship. Several moves could reduce barriers.

The post How Illinois and Chicago can improve the climate for starting a business appeared first on Illinois Policy.

Update: 4 Illinois counties reject an extra sales tax for schools

Property taxes haven’t declined when the extra County School Facility Occupation Tax was added.

The post Update: 4 Illinois counties reject an extra sales tax for schools appeared first on Illinois Policy.

Update: Chicagoans favor a new venue for festivals and concerts

City voters favor building a permanent space for big events.

The post Update: Chicagoans favor a new venue for festivals and concerts appeared first on Illinois Policy.