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Explainers

The Newsroom produces explanatory stories that break through political gamesmanship to address complex issues affecting citizens throughout Illinois.

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Explainer

Illinois Circling The Toilet Bowl? This Boom Town Begs To Differ

Tiny Rochelle, 80 miles west of Chicago at the intersection of Interstates 88 and 39, is on an industrial roll, blissfully ignoring a common narrative among political and business elites of an economically maligned Illinois.
Oct 11, 2017 6:00 AM
Explainer

Illinois Is Poised To Dangle Business Incentives To Big Companies — But Is It Worth It?

Despite ever more tenuous state finances, Gov. Bruce Rauner and many lawmakers appear poised to embrace expensive incentive packages once unanimously derided by Springfield.
Oct 6, 2017 6:00 AM
Explainer

Gerrymandering In Illinois: New Numbers Challenge Conventional Wisdom

Reformers hope a pending U.S. Supreme Court case reins in the widespread manipulation of election districts by powerbrokers, but data in the case suggest such gerrymandering in Illinois is less severe than in many states.
Aug 30, 2017 5:30 AM
Explainer

As The Nation’s Rail Hub, Chicago Is An Expensive And Dangerous Bottleneck

Nearly $1 trillion in goods chug annually through the city on a severely tangled network of rails, prompting some industry leaders to weigh ways to bypass Chicago entirely.
Aug 23, 2017 3:00 PM
Explainer

Breaking Down Gov. Rauner's Dispute With Illinois' Largest Public Labor Union

Illinois has continued to grapple over the costs of pay and benefits for members of the state’s largest public employee union. Gov. Bruce Rauner is trying to squeeze major contract concessions from AFSCME, while both sides accuse the other of bargaining in bad faith.
Jun 29, 2017 6:00 AM
Explainer

Illinois Governor's Race On Pace To Be Most Expensive in U.S. History

In what may seem a paradox, the worse off Illinois government gets the more the wealthy are willing to spend to gain control. It is part of a national trend that has seen ever escalating spending battles for even down the ballot offices.
Jun 6, 2017 6:00 AM
Explainer

Rauner Gropes For Silver Lining As State Flounders Amid Gridlock

“How’s that working out for you?” Rauner the 2014 Republican candidate often asked in questioning why voters kept returning Democrats to run Springfield. Now he’s governor of a very troubled state and the same question may loom large over his reelection bid next year.
May 30, 2017 6:00 AM
Explainer

Lots Of People Think They Can Solve Illinois' Budget Mess—But It's Not That Easy

Compared to other states, Illinois has fewer state workers, spends less on Medicaid per patient and owns a worst in the nation record for supporting local schools. So budget-balancing without tax hikes will mean cutting into muscle.
May 18, 2017 6:00 AM
Explainer

Why The Online Threat To Big Retail Means Bigger Holes In Illinois Budgets

The take from sales and property taxes, key revenue sources for local governments, often takes a hit as brick and mortar stores reel under Internet competition. That puts a strain on paying for municipal services.
May 10, 2017 5:00 AM
Explainer

Why The Chicago Area's Powerhouse Economy Can't Jumpstart Stalled Illinois

With the Chicago region robust and Downstate in a prolonged economic funk, fixing Illinois may be harder than the political talking points suggest.
Apr 25, 2017 5:00 AM

Explainers

Illinois Circling The Toilet Bowl? This Boom Town Begs To Differ

Illinois Is Poised To Dangle Business Incentives To Big Companies — But Is It Worth It?

Gerrymandering In Illinois: New Numbers Challenge Conventional Wisdom

As The Nation’s Rail Hub, Chicago Is An Expensive And Dangerous Bottleneck

Breaking Down Gov. Rauner's Dispute With Illinois' Largest Public Labor Union

Illinois Governor's Race On Pace To Be Most Expensive in U.S. History

Rauner Gropes For Silver Lining As State Flounders Amid Gridlock

Lots Of People Think They Can Solve Illinois' Budget Mess—But It's Not That Easy

Why The Online Threat To Big Retail Means Bigger Holes In Illinois Budgets

Why The Chicago Area's Powerhouse Economy Can't Jumpstart Stalled Illinois