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Illinois once again ranked near the bottom nationally for economic competitiveness, underscoring what Senate Republicans say is a troubling trajectory for the state’s future. According to the 2026 ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index, Illinois ranked 49th in economic performance, based on state GDP growth, non-farm payroll employment growth, and domestic migration. Senate Republicans say the report debunks the continued rhetoric coming

Senate lawmakers return to the Capitol on Tuesday, April 28, to begin the final stretch of the spring legislative session. The Senate is scheduled to be in session for the last week of April, and both chambers are then set to work through the final four weeks of the regular spring session before the scheduled May 31 adjournment. Before the

A proposed constitutional amendment advancing in the Illinois General Assembly is once again raising concerns about how legislative maps are drawn. The proposal (HJRCA 28) would change the standards used to draw legislative districts, Those changes however, still allow legislators to draw their own districts leaving voters once again out of the process. State Senator Dave Syverson says any changes

 Governor Pritzker recently suggested that local governments and school boards are responsible for Illinois’ high property taxes. However, that explanation overlooks the significant role the ruling parties’ policies in Springfield have played in the rise of property taxes. Local school funding continues to be the largest portion of your property tax bill. The state both underfunds local school districts and

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has relaunched the Infield Conservation for Operationalizing Vital Ecosystem Resilience (I-COVER) program, which offers financial incentives to farmers adopting new or earlier cover crop techniques for 2026–2028. I-COVER is a three-year initiative funded by a $7 million grant from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to promote the use of cover crops and improve soil health. Applications for the program opened April 15. IDOA

Hazardous Materials Awareness Month highlights the importance of understanding and safely managing hazardous chemicals in local communities. Illinois agencies, like the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, work with partners to monitor hazardous materials, train first responders, and ensure proper reporting and storage of chemicals. Facilities must report their chemical inventories to help emergency planners prepare for

Legislation now pending in the Illinois Senate aims to provide financial relief to foster families through a new tax credit to help offset the costs of care. Senate Bill 2097, co-sponsored by State Senator Dave Syverson, would create an income tax credit of up to $1,000 per foster child for qualified expenses incurred by foster parents caring for children placed

The Illinois State Police has announced that all 169 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) across Illinois have successfully transitioned to Next Generation 911 (NG911), marking a significant modernization of the state’s emergency response infrastructure. NG911 replaces the outdated, voice-based system with a secure, internet-based network that allows 911 calls to be routed based on a caller’s precise location rather than

A new study ranked Illinois 45th in the nation for entrepreneurship and economic growth, underscoring what Senate Republicans have warned for years that the state’s high taxes, burdensome regulations, and crushing policies are making it harder for families and job creators to succeed. The ranking comes from a broader study on social mobility, which measures a person’s ability to improve

The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act continues to raise questions as Illinois businesses and consumers seek clarity on how the law will be implemented. The law is intended to prohibit interchange fees on the portion of credit and debit card transactions that cover taxes and tips. However, it does not provide clear guidance on how this change should be implemented in