ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION

Jun 17 2026POLITICS

Illinois Budget: More Taxes, Steady Spending, and Political Moves Ahead of Election

Illinois recently approved a $55. 9 billion budget for the next fiscal year, a slight increase from last year but still smaller than what the governor first proposed. The new budget introduces several new taxes, mostly targeting businesses and digital activities. Social media platforms, fantasy spor

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Jun 14 2026EDUCATION

New digital library deal opens doors for all Illinois residents

Illinois just made a big move to level the playing field when it comes to information access. The state struck a deal that lets any resident tap into over fifty digital databases through their local library—all for free. These databases aren’t just random collections; they include e-books, research

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May 13 2026ENVIRONMENT

Dust storms hit Illinois roads, raising safety concerns

Illinois is seeing more dust storms these days, and they’re not just an annoyance—they’re a serious danger. Strong winds can lift dry soil from farm fields, creating sudden walls of dust that reduce visibility to almost zero. These storms can appear quickly, turning highways into risky zones for dri

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May 02 2026POLITICS

A billionaire governor’s next big move

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is no stranger to writing big checks for political battles. But if he decides to run for president in 2028, he won’t be footing the entire bill himself. That’s according to people close to his inner circle, who say he’s already testing the waters with national fundraise

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Mar 18 2026POLITICS

A New Senate Hope: Illinois Votes for a Black Woman with Big Support

Illinois voters have chosen a new face for the Senate, electing a Black woman who has long worked under Governor JB Pritzker. The win shows how powerful state politics can be when a governor’s backing is combined with substantial outside money. The campaign began when the incumbent senator, Richard 

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Feb 12 2026BUSINESS

Restaurant Brands Beats Forecasts With Strong Global Growth

Restaurant Brands International released its fourth‑quarter results for the year ending December 31, showing earnings and revenue that surpassed analyst expectations. The company earned adjusted profit of 96 cents per share, a touch higher than the 95 cents forecasted by LSEG’s analyst survey. Total

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Feb 12 2026ENVIRONMENT

Data Centers: A Growing Concern for Illinois

Illinois is facing a big challenge with data centers. These huge facilities are popping up quickly, and they're causing some problems. They use a lot of water and electricity. This is making people's bills go up. Plus, they might be hurting the environment. A new law called the Power Act is being p

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Jan 11 2026POLITICS

Illinois Lawmakers Face Tough Choices with $2. 2 Billion Budget Gap

Illinois lawmakers are back at work, but this time, they're dealing with a $2. 2 billion budget gap. That's a lot of money, and it's not going to be easy to fix. The state is also dealing with some big changes in Washington, like fewer federal dollars coming in. This means lawmakers have to be extra

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Dec 30 2025BUSINESS

Restaurants Shutting Doors: A Look at the Struggles

Restaurants are finding it tough to keep their doors open. People are spending less on eating out. They are cooking at home more often. This is because prices are going up. It is hard for restaurants to make money. Many chains are closing locations to save cash. Starbucks is one of them. They plan

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Oct 25 2025POLITICS

Illinois Stands Strong: Protecting Reproductive Rights Amidst National Challenges

Illinois has become a key player in the fight for reproductive rights, especially after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Governor JB Pritzker has been at the forefront of this battle, ensuring that Illinois remains a safe haven for those seeking abortion care. Pritzker recently

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