Rockford ranked first because its mix of tool-and-die shops, logistics firms and health care providers makes it a bellwether for working-class Illinois, said MarketBeat. “When job postings dry up or foot traffic in service businesses slows, Rockford usually reflects growing economic caution,” MarketBeat said in a news release.

“In the interim, Gov. JB Pritzker could also lower some of the state’s direct fiscal impact with a big administrative effort — a fact that has been glossed over in pretty much all news coverage so far. … The reason the state is on the hook for 15 percent of benefit costs is because of its high SNAP payment error rate, which stood at 11.56 percent in fiscal year 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”

Residents have been paying 37.7 percent in taxes on their monthly wireless bill. This includes 24.9 percent in state and local taxes, fees, and surcharges as well as the 12.8 percent in federal taxes for the Universal Service Fund. For a family of four sharing a $100 plan, that adds close to $38 each month. Illinois families pay $456 a year in cell taxes while the U.S. average is $320.

Congressional candidate Christian Maxwell explains how she feels Congress could impact public safety on the streets of Chicago, impacts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and more.

The text of the bill reads that “the revenue currently available for highways and local roads is not adequate to preserve and maintain existing infrastructure and to provide funds for improvements that would incorporate safety factors, eliminate travel related injuries and fatalities, reduce congestion, and improve service. The General Assembly further recognizes that the gas tax is an ineffective mechanism for meeting Illinois’ long-term revenue needs because it will steadily generate less revenue as cars become more fuel efficient and alternative sources of fuel are identified.”

Sponsored by state Rep. Justin Slaughter, SB 2418 would gradually phase in with detention for 10 and 11 year olds ceasing July 1, 2026, and the change for 12 year olds commencing a year later. The measure would not extend to such violent crimes as murder, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated vehicular hijacking.

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery won’t be seeking reelection, and three other executive board members have submitted resignations. Those vacancies give the Chicago Teachers Union an opening to gain more power over the statewide union. CTU President Stacy Davis Gates, whose tenure at CTU has been rocked by scandals, is already the executive vice president of IFT.

Gov. JB Pritzker called the hikes “arbitrary” and antithetical to the state’s economic environment and policies. “Over the past six years, our state economy has flourished based on transparent markets and fair competition. State Farm’s actions are antithetical to the core principles that the Illinois business community is built on,” he said.