Illinois Politics & News
The Daily Signal examines Illinois’ political landscape, fiscal crises, pension problems, and the stark divide between Chicago’s progressive leadership and conservative priorities statewide.
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Meet Kim Foxx, the Rogue Prosecutor Whose Policies are Wreaking Havoc in Chicago
This commentary is part of a series on the rogue prosecutors around the country who have been backed by liberal billionaires such as George Soros and Cari Tuna, and the threat those prosecutors pose to victims and others alike. In one war zone, there were 3,481 Americans killed in action between 2003 and 2010, an…Zack Smith -
What Happened in Chicago and What May Be Next, Explained
Hundreds of vandals looted Chicago businesses Sunday night and into Monday morning. The images of shattered storefronts in and around the city’s Loop look more like a war zone than an American city. John Tillman, chairman and CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, joins the podcast to offer insight into how the streets of Chicago…Virginia Allen -
Chicago Lawmaker Wants to Cancel History Classes ‘Until a Suitable Alternative Can Be Found’
Chicago-area leaders urged the Illinois State Board of Education on Sunday to halt history classes that “unfairly” communicate history until an “alternative” can be found. Democratic state Rep. LaShawn Ford of Chicago said the current state history curriculum leads to a “racist society” and may cause “white privilege” before a Sunday press conference in Evanston in a…Jake Dima -
The Chicago Gun Myth
The tragically incompetent mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” last weekend to deflect attention from the horror show unfolding in her city by blaming interlopers for its spiking murder rate: “We are being inundated with guns from states that have virtually no gun control, no background checks, no ban…David Harsanyi -
Wisconsin vs. Illinois: Don’t Ask Responsible States to Bail Out the Reckless
Wisconsin’s neighbor to the south is at it again. This time, Illinois is using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse for seeking a federal bailout to extricate itself from its own long-standing—and self-created—fiscal mess. What does one have to do with the other? Nothing. Yet, the House recently passed a new $3 trillion coronavirus relief package that includes…Jay Miller -
‘Total and Complete Victory’: Illinois Governor Withdraws Worship Restrictions
The governor of Illinois has withdrawn restrictions on religious services amid the coronavirus pandemic following lawsuits from the Thomas More Society. The nonprofit law firm hailed Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Thursday announcement as a victory after the governor said he would remove mandates on Illinois churches requiring no more than 10 people to be…Mary Margaret Olohan -
Amid COVID-19, Illinois Seeks Federal Bailout of Fiscal Crisis ‘Decades in the Making’
Those who would be most harmed by a $40 billion federal bailout of the state of Illinois are the people of Illinois, a Republican state senator says, because such an aid package would reward and reinforce irresponsible behavior by the state’s politicians. “The people of Illinois are hurting,” state Sen. Jason Plummer, a Republican who…Fred Lucas -
Trump Loses Sanctuary City Fight With Chicago
The Trump administration cannot withhold grant money from cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, an appeals court ruled Thursday. President Donald Trump’s threat to withhold public safety grants from jurisdictions that don’t cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, otherwise known as “sanctuary cities,” violates the Constitution’s separation of powers provisions, the 7th…Jason Hopkins -
Chicago Mayor Signs Executive Order Giving Coronavirus Benefits to Illegal Aliens
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday signed an executive order ensuring that all immigrants and refugees—including illegal aliens—are eligible to receive the city’s coronavirus benefits. The city of Chicago has launched several programs in order to help residents cope with the financial challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Such initiatives include a coronavirus Housing Assistance Grant…Jason Hopkins -
Illegal Alien Released in Chicago Charged With Sexually Abusing 3-Year-Old
An illegal alien accused of sexually abusing a 3-year-old child would have been in federal custody had the Chicago Police Department honored an immigration detainer on him last year and not released him back into the community. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, lodged an immigration detainer with Chicago police for Christopher Puente, 34,…Jason Hopkins -
Judge Rules Chicago Can’t Ban Christian Students From Evangelizing
When people ask Jeremy Chong about his Friday night plans, they don’t get the typical college sophomore response. He and his friends usually head to downtown Chicago. But the point isn’t to party—it’s to evangelize. And thanks to a federal judge, the group of Wheaton students can finally resume that without harassment. For months, students…Tony Perkins -
In Chicago, the Next Act of the Jussie Smollett Saga Begins
Jussie Smollett was back in an Illinois court on Monday, and things are not looking good for the ambitious actor. This time, an independent special prosecutor has filed a six-count felony indictment against Smollett in Chicago and his lawyers are crying foul, claiming the state already has prosecuted him for the same conduct. It’s going…Stephanie Neville -
He Grew Up Poor in Chicago. Then Conservative Values Helped Transform His Life.
“After I began to volunteer with this alderman and learn the ways of the Democratic Party … I began to question some of the narratives,” says Gianno Caldwell. “Why is it that although these politicians come every year during election time, why is it the conditions and the communities never get better?” That was the…Katrina Trinko -
Illinois School District Gives Transgender Students Unrestricted Access to Bathrooms
An Illinois school district ruled Thursday that transgender students will have unrestricted access to bathrooms of their choice. The school district held a meeting at Palatine High School in northwest Illinois, where board members voted to give unrestricted locker room and restroom access to transgender students, the Chicago station WGN9 reported. The board voted for the decision in…Mary Margaret Olohan -
What’s Driving Chicago’s Political Dysfunction
Chicago is known for its deep dish pizza, skyscrapers, and lively sports scene. Unfortunately, it’s also known for high crime, fiscal woes, and political dysfunction. Other major cities have reformed their political system over time, but not Chicago. The city remains stuck with an outdated political model where the mayor is essentially king, making it…Daniel Davis -
In Chicago, Trump Fires Back at Police Chief Who Boycotted His Speech
Speaking before a gathering of police chiefs in Chicago, President Donald Trump on Monday sharply criticized the city’s police superintendent, who boycotted his speech, noting the high rates of violent crime there. “The courageous police officers of Chicago, and I know some of them, and they are the most incredible people, could solve this problem…Fred Lucas -
Christian Student on Why He’s Suing Chicago Over Free Speech
All they wanted to do was share the gospel message—and they’d been doing it for years in downtown Chicago. But this time, the four Christian college students were shut down by law enforcement. Now, they’re suing the city of Chicago, saying their First Amendment rights to free speech have been violated. One of those students,…Daniel Davis -
Illinois Politicians Are to Blame for Tax Hikes, Not Washington
Illinois lawmakers recently moved one step closer to raising state income taxes. It’s the last thing Illinois needs—residents and businesses are already leaving the state in droves due, in large part, to the inhospitable tax climate. The irony is that the same politicians who are about to pass these tax hikes have been howling for…Adam Michel -
Illinois GOP Lawmakers Want to Cut off Chicago, Create New State
A group of Illinois Republicans are sponsoring legislation that would split the state in two: Chicago, and everywhere else. State Rep. Brad Halbrook, a Republican representing Shelbyville, Illinois, spoke with The Daily Signal about the effort to win better representation for the people of rural Illinois, whose traditional and economic values are affected by policies…Carmel Kookogey -
Illinois Proposes Taxpayers Pay for Some Gender Reassignment Surgeries
If there’s one thing the far left has excelled at, it’s making you pay for its radical policies, whether or not it has the money for it. In Illinois, a state known for its persistent fiscal troubles, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services recently announced its intention to begin covering gender reassignment surgeries under the state’s Medicaid program….Tony Perkins