Explore

Illinois Tollway Board Approves First Fare Increase in 15 Years, Linking Future Hikes to Inflation

Illinois Tollway Board Approves First Fare Increase in 15 Years, Linking Future Hikes to Inflation

The Illinois Tollway board has unanimously approved its first fare increase in 15 years, effective January. This measure will raise tolls by up to $0.45 per toll gate for most drivers and up to $0.30 per toll for commercial trucks. Additionally, the plan includes automatic toll increases tied to the rate of inflation every two years, beginning in 2029. This comprehensive $26 billion initiative is designed to fund improvements for the area's toll roads. Executive Director Cassaundra Gause stated that the overall toll of $0.11 per mile remains below the national average for other tollway authorities. Chief Financial Officer Kathy Williams noted that the plan was developed after extensive discussions with stakeholders, aiming to balance project benefits with costs for drivers. While all public commenters at the meeting supported the increase, the tollway acknowledged that 76% of online commenters opposed it.

The new kingmakers: Crypto, AI and betting firms fuel record spending on the 2026 midterms

The new kingmakers: Crypto, AI and betting firms fuel record spending on the 2026 midterms

By Dawn Kopecki NEW YORK, Aug 20 (Reuters) - A handful of billionaires and companies are driving corporate spending in U.S. midterm elections this year, and they aren’t the usual power brokers who have sat atop the political food chain in Washington in previous decades.

Gov. JB Pritzker Questions Chicago Public Schools' $150 Million Funding Request Amid Union Endorsement

Gov. JB Pritzker Questions Chicago Public Schools' $150 Million Funding Request Amid Union Endorsement

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has expressed skepticism regarding Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) request for an additional $150 million in state funding. This comes after Pritzker accepted an endorsement from the Illinois Education Association (IEA), a prominent teachers' union representing educators primarily outside Chicago. The CPS board, under pressure from the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), passed a nearly $10 billion budget that includes this unallocated $150 million, aiming to restore positions and prevent classroom cuts. Governor Pritzker indicated that the state does not have readily available funds for such an allocation and emphasized that any additional funding would likely need to be extended to schools statewide, not just Chicago. He highlighted the difficulty of finding three to four times the requested amount without impacting other state budget priorities. The governor's comments underscore a potential conflict ahead of the General Assembly's fall veto session, where the funding push is expec...

Illinois Governor Pritzker Expresses Skepticism on $150 Million CPS Funding Push Amid Statewide School Needs

Illinois Governor Pritzker Expresses Skepticism on $150 Million CPS Funding Push Amid Statewide School Needs

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accepted the endorsement of the Illinois Education Association (IEA), a suburban teachers union, but voiced skepticism regarding a push for an additional $150 million in funding for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The governor stated that the state cannot afford to provide such a substantial amount to Chicago alone without also allocating funds to schools statewide. This comes after the CPS board, influenced by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), passed a nearly $10 billion budget that relies on this unallocated $150 million from the state. Governor Pritzker highlighted the financial constraints, noting that finding such funds would likely require multiplying the amount by three or four to address needs across all Illinois schools, which he believes would strain other critical budget priorities. The issue is creating fault lines ahead of the General Assembly’s fall veto session, where a potential fight over school funding is anticipated.

Chicago Teachers Union Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Illinois Policy Institute Over Anti-Union Campaign

Chicago Teachers Union Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Illinois Policy Institute Over Anti-Union Campaign

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), led by President Stacy Davis Gates, has initiated a defamation lawsuit against the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI), its legal arm the Liberty Justice Center, and IPI's Vice President of Marketing, Austin Berg. The lawsuit alleges that the IPI has engaged in a multi-million dollar smear campaign against the CTU for at least the past four years, disseminating false and defamatory statements about the union. This legal action comes as the CTU continues to advocate for fully funded schools and has recently fought against a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) budget that proposed furloughs, layoffs, and school closures. The union asserts that the IPI's campaign is part of a broader anti-union and anti-public-school agenda, aiming to undermine their efforts and public perception.

Republican Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Darren Bailey Proposes Eliminating Tolls, Governor Pritzker Questions Funding Plan

Republican Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Darren Bailey Proposes Eliminating Tolls, Governor Pritzker Questions Funding Plan

Republican Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey has called for the elimination of all tolls in Illinois and the cancellation of an upcoming toll increase. Bailey argues that higher tolls will exacerbate inflation and increase costs for residents and businesses. Motorists using Illinois toll roads are slated to pay an additional 45 cents per toll, with commercial vehicle tolls increasing by 30%, marking the largest increase in the Illinois Tollway's history. This increase was approved as part of last year's $1.3 billion statewide transit bill, which funds tollway construction projects and supports public transit systems like Metra, Pace, and the Chicago Transit Authority. However, Bailey has not yet provided a detailed plan on how the state would replace the revenue generated by tolls or how the transit measure would be funded without the increase. Governor JB Pritzker has criticized Bailey's proposal, stating it lacks fiscal realism and that Bailey "doesn't understand the state budget."

Illinois Governor Pritzker Shifts Stance on Data Center Tax Incentives Amid Energy Concerns

Illinois Governor Pritzker Shifts Stance on Data Center Tax Incentives Amid Energy Concerns

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who initially championed tax incentives for data centers in 2019, has now paused these incentives and is advocating for new regulations. This shift comes as the rapid expansion of data centers, particularly hyperscale facilities driven by artificial intelligence, has raised concerns about their impact on energy and water resources. In his February State of the State address, Governor Pritzker called for a two-year moratorium on new data center tax credits and mandated that new data centers supply their own electricity. This policy change reflects an evolving understanding of the industry's demands, as the technology landscape has changed significantly since the initial incentives were introduced. The governor emphasized the need for 'responsible growth' that protects the state's resources and prevents increased utility rates for residents and businesses. The pause on tax incentives, which had committed an estimated $650 million to 34 data center projects, was implemented afte...

Representative Mary Miller Advocates for New Five-Year Farm Bill Amidst Agricultural Economic Concerns

Representative Mary Miller Advocates for New Five-Year Farm Bill Amidst Agricultural Economic Concerns

U.S. Representative Mary Miller (R-Oakland) recently participated in a discussion at the Illinois State Fair's Commodities Pavilion, addressing the state of the agricultural economy, input costs, and the necessity of a new five-year farm bill. Speaking alongside Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield), Miller highlighted the significant impact of rising input costs on farmers, stating that her own farm is experiencing similar challenges. She emphasized that President Trump's administration is actively working to address consolidation within the agricultural industry, particularly concerning input sectors like fertilizer, by investigating antitrust and price-fixing issues. Miller also praised President Trump's deregulation efforts, which she believes enhance productivity for farmers. She voiced strong support for the farm bill that passed the House Agriculture Committee and the House floor, expressing disappointment that no Illinois Democrats supported it despite its importance to the state's agricul...

President Trump's Anti-Diversity Executive Order Faces Legal Challenges and Criticism

President Trump's Anti-Diversity Executive Order Faces Legal Challenges and Criticism

President Trump's Executive Order 14398, which mandates federal agencies to include contract terms restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, is facing significant legal challenges and criticism. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of attorneys general to contest these restrictions, which place federal contractors at risk of losing work if they do not comply. The July 24 deadline for contractors to accept these new terms has passed, and litigation is currently pending. Critics argue that this federal campaign against DEI is accelerating and that the rhetoric driving it falsely claims diversity initiatives are inherently discriminatory. The order impacts research universities, public agencies, and other federal contractors, pressuring them to audit programs designed to broaden access and participation, often while their operations depend on federal funding.

Representative Jan Schakowsky Co-Sponsors Resolution Addressing Climate Change's Disproportionate Impact on Children

Representative Jan Schakowsky Co-Sponsors Resolution Addressing Climate Change's Disproportionate Impact on Children

Representative Jan Schakowsky, a Democratic representative from Illinois, along with Senator Jeff Merkley and Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Jamie Raskin, introduced the Children’s Fundamental Rights to Life and a Stable Climate System resolution during the 119th Congress. This resolution acknowledges that children are disproportionately affected by climate change. It also highlights concerns that President Trump’s executive orders are promoting fossil fuel use, which contributes to the acceleration of climate change, hinders the clean energy transition, and denies climate science. The resolution seeks to address these issues by recognizing the fundamental rights of children in the context of a stable climate system. The resolution has garnered support from over 80 co-sponsors in the House and Senate.

How the Wisconsin governor’s race became a data center hate-off

How the Wisconsin governor’s race became a data center hate-off

Both candidates are trying to surf the anti-tech wave — without fully betraying the AI boom's beneficiaries.

Governors' races are being increasingly buffeted by the toxic politics of data centers

Governors' races are being increasingly buffeted by the toxic politics of data centers

More governors are shifting their stances or taking more steps to squeeze data centers, as the midterm elections near and public opinion sours on the energy-hungry behemoths