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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

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
Explainer

Rauner Tax Freeze: Balm Or Timebomb For Local Taxpayers?

The governor seeks a permanent property tax freeze as a price for a budget deal, but experts say such a plan goes beyond anti-tax moves in other states and could handcuff operations of schools and local governments.
Apr 5, 2017 6:00 AM
Explainer

Understanding The Most Poorly Funded School System in America: Illinois

By design, Illinois places an outsized reliance on revenue from local property taxes to fund schools. That has led to dramatic increases in property taxes across the state while also creating a worst in the nation gap in funding between rich and poor districts.
Mar 30, 2017 6:00 AM
Explainer

Poor In Chicago And Illinois Targeted In Trump Budget Cuts

The president’s new budget proposes to do away with several popular aid programs, with the brunt of the pain focused on programs that serve low income residents.
Mar 16, 2017 6:00 PM
Explainer

Experts: No Evidence Term Limits Cure Political Dysfunction

Illinois’ governor demands term limits as part of the price for any budget deal, but experts say capping lawmaker tenure emboldens special interests and is no magic bullet to cure what ails the state.
Feb 22, 2017 6:00 AM
Explainer

Tax Hike Zigzag At Cook County Draws Mixed Reviews

Toni Preckwinkle campaigned for county board president as a tax slasher but later pushed new and increased levies. Debate rages over whether she has imposed enough austerity on county government to justify a course correction on taxes.
Jan 24, 2017 5:00 AM
Explainer

Rauner Reprieve On Costly Credit Swap Solution May Have Political Timetable

Deal to spare the state potentially costly penalties expires the day after the next election for governor in 2018.
Oct 23, 2016 6:00 PM
Explainer

Illinois Awash In Tax Breaks

Rich and poor alike benefit from loopholes worth more than enough to close the state budget deficit.
Oct 19, 2016 3:30 PM
Explainer

Illinois’ Cash-Strapped Public Golf Courses Turn To Video Gambling

Money-losing courses add video poker and video slots, taking advantage of a state law aimed at boosting bar and restaurant owners.
Jul 23, 2016 9:05 AM

Explainers

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

Rauner Tax Freeze: Balm Or Timebomb For Local Taxpayers?

Understanding The Most Poorly Funded School System in America: Illinois

Poor In Chicago And Illinois Targeted In Trump Budget Cuts

Experts: No Evidence Term Limits Cure Political Dysfunction

Tax Hike Zigzag At Cook County Draws Mixed Reviews

Rauner Reprieve On Costly Credit Swap Solution May Have Political Timetable

Illinois Awash In Tax Breaks

Illinois’ Cash-Strapped Public Golf Courses Turn To Video Gambling