Latest pension report shows continued unfunded balances One of the biggest fiscal challenges Illinois faces is our large unfunded pension liability. The state has five pension funds, and combined they…

Illinois to end cash bail, make it harder to keep dangerous criminals off streets January 1 In the closing hours of the 2021 lame duck session of the legislature, Democrats…

IDES audit reveals series of deficiencies The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) struggled to keep up with the large number of Illinoisans in need of unemployment assistance during the…

Pre-apprenticeship program expanded The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced the $15 million expansion of its Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship program. The program is aimed at enhancing opportunities…

Report gives more warnings about Illinois’ unemployment trust fund debt The University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs has released a report examining the debt in the state’s…

IDOT releases multi-year transportation improvement plan The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has released its latest Multi-Year Improvement Program, the plan of all road construction projects to be conducted between…

Please keep our first responders safe on the roadways Last summer I was one of the many Illinoisans who was assisted on the roadside by an Illinois State Trooper after…

Embattled DCFS director grilled by Legislative Audit Commission over massive failures Since December, nine children have died under DCFS’ watch. Meanwhile, DCFS Director Marc Smith has been held in contempt…

Another great County Fair season One of the best parts of summer in east-central Illinois is our county fairs – there is nothing quite like it. The food, the competitions,…

Secretary of State issues warning on another scam targeting Illinoisans It seems that scammers never stop trying to fraudulently obtain our personal information. The latest warning comes from the Illinois…