Stories Tagged as
Illinois
Despite enacting a budget, Illinois has a financial struggle ahead
Jul 31, 2017
In two years with no budget, Illinois racked up $10 billion in unpaid bills — and now spends $2 million a day on interest.
What happens when a state has $15 billion worth of unpaid bills?
by
Kai Ryssdal
Jun 29, 2017
Decisions about who gets paid are 'life and death,' says the Illinois comptroller.
Illinois already had the worst credit rating of any state, and it just got lower
by
Annie Baxter
Jun 1, 2017
Illinois’ credit rating is now just short of junk. That’s the news after a downgrade from S&P Global Ratings. The agency cited Illinois’ budget stalemate and its $14.5 billion in unpaid bills. It will take more revenue and more cuts to make any progress, but the state’s regular legislative session just ended — with no […]
The risky business of building Trump’s wall
Mar 17, 2017
As companies come forward to build border walls, local lawmakers call for divestments in protest
Coal country mourns job losses, town heroes
by
Scott Tong
Feb 23, 2017
In southern Illinois coal towns, reality overshadows hope for coal deregulation.
Coal is a resource curse for southern Illinois economies
by
Scott Tong
Feb 22, 2017
Eight decades of boom and bust ends in bust and leaves land dry.
Illinois cuts off funding for its public universities
by
Nova Safo
Mar 18, 2016
A budget fight has left both schools and students in the lurch.
For public good, not for profit.
Illinois lottery: You're a winner! Oh. No, you're not!
by
Nova Safo
Sep 14, 2015
Officials say they can't pay some winners because of a state budget impasse.
Chicago raises a glass to the end of a happy hour ban
by
Nova Safo
Jul 17, 2015
Eleven states ban happy hours. Illinois just ended its own.
Illinois faces sudden drop in state tax
by
Nova Safo
Jan 2, 2015
Temporary tax increases expire, reducing Illinois revenue amid budget shortfalls.