The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from Illinois

Cheers! All 50 States Embrace the Home Brew Boom

As of July 1, all 50 states will allow aspiring brewers to make their own beer at home. But states are still figuring out how to regulate the popular hobby.

After Years of Defeats, Immigrants Win Big State Victories in 2013

Arizona’s immigration crackdown is a fresh memory for many, but now many states are passing immigrant-friendly laws. Find out what is driving the change.

Illinois Follows Nevada with Highest Unemployment

State unemployment numbers fluctuate and once again Nevada tops the country, but the state that comes in second is new.

With Big Changes, Can Labor Grow Again?

Labor union membership has been in steady decline for decades. Leaders are finally considering aggressive, unconventional strategies to grow their numbers. Is it too late?

Registry Finds More Exonerations in 2012

Since 1989, at least 1,089 people convicted of crimes have been officially cleared based on new evidence of their innocence, according to the National Registry of Exonerations annual report released Wednesday.

Backers See Momentum As 6th State Allows Same-Sex Civil Unions

Colorado becomes the latest state to allow same-sex civil unions, as marriage supporters see victories around U.S.

Colorado Governor to Sign Civil Union Law

Colorado becomes the latest state to allow same-sex civil unions, as marriage supporters see victories around U.S.

Maryland Repeals Death Penalty, Sixth State in Six Years

Maryland became the sixth state in as many years to repeal the death penalty. But the fate of the state’s five remaining death row inmates is up to Governor Martin O'Malley.

Labor Conference Mulls Big Questions About Future of Movement

Unions are considering ways to collaborate with community organizations that represent workers in a different way.

30 Cities: An Introductory Snapshot

Pew recently updated its 30-city snapshot interactive, with new data on population, home values, income and unemployment. Pew's American Cities Project focuses on the biggest city in the nation's 30 largest metro areas.

Illinois State Government Narrowly Averts Labor Strike

After more than 15 months of negotiations, Democratic Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois’ largest state-worker union have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract.

Backlash for Red-Light Cameras Hasn’t Slowed Spread

Throughout the country, state legislatures are considering how broadly to use traffic cameras, but the number of communities using them keeps growing.

Which State Will Be Next to Allow Fracking?

Hydraulic fracturing continues as a hot-button issue across statehouses, as lawmakers consider how much scrutiny to apply to oil and gas drillers looking to tap shale deposits stretching beneath 31 states. New York, Illinois, California and North Carolina are home to some high-profile debates.

Pay Boost on the Horizon for Some State Workers

Far fewer people are working for state governments than before the recession began, but those who remain may get modest salary increases this year.

Governors Ask Lawmakers to Prevent Future Shootings

The recent mass shootings in Colorado and Connecticut reshaped governors’ legislative agendas this year, and many used their once-a-year legislative addresses to ask lawmakers to take up gun control, mental health treatment and school safety.

Governors Balance Pardons With Politics

Governors are more reluctant to use their pardon power in the face of heightened political scrutiny. But some still issue regular pardons.

Illinois State of the State Address 2013

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Feb. 6 – Following is the prepared text of Gov. Pat Quinn’s 2013 State of the State Address

Transit Repair Backlog Will Get Renewed Focus

The condition of bus and train transit systems will soon draw more attention because of a new federal law. The extra scrutiny could put pressure on state lawmakers to address their share of a $78 billion national backlog of transit repairs and upgrades.

Public Safety in Illinois

Public safety in Illinois.

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Illinois

How well is Illinois protecting kids from tooth decay?

As Sandy Hook Students Return to School, Connecticut Governor to Launch Gun Violence Task Force

Still reeling from the elementary school massacre that shocked the nation, Connecticut has launched an expert panel that will study current policy and make recommendations on school safety, mental health and gun violence prevention, Governor Dan Malloy said Thursday.

Bullet Tax Proposal Is New Twist in Gun-Control Debate

Today’s Take: The school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut isn’t just prompting gun-control proposals. It’s generating bullet-control proposals, too.

Best of #StateReads: Roots of a Voting Rights Challenge

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Another Mass Shooting Revives Debate on Gun Laws

Another mass shooting is fueling another debate about the nation’s patchwork of gun laws. But this time some new and prominent faces are calling for the stricter gun measures.

U.S. Senate Committee Probes “School-to-Prison Pipeline”

Education, civil rights and public safety leaders discussed ways to dismantle the “school-to-prison pipeline” on Capitol Hill this week.

States Begin Giving Driver’s Licenses to Young Immigrants

The federal government thrust states back into dealing with the contentious issue of driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, after years when the practice had become rare and the issue dropped off most legislative agendas.

Illinois Union Spars with Governor, Legislature

The 40,000 Illinois state workers who belong to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees found themselves in unchartered territory last week after Governor Pat Quinn announced the termination of their contract after almost a year of negotiations.

Illinois Democrats Seek Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants

Illinois Democrats are pushing a bill that would grant driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, saying the policy would improve road safety and cut down on uninsured drivers.

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: Illinois

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

Best of #StateReads: Why Colorado Children Die of Abuse and Neglect

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Federal Charge Doesn’t Thwart Illinois Lawmaker’s Reelection Bid

Derrick Smith’s return to the Illinois General Assembly isn’t much of a welcome back party. With the dust barely settled on his easy win on Election Day, a top Republican lawmaker is already calling for the Chicago Democrat’s ouster — again.

Ill. Campaign Finance Limits Remain Through Election, Court Rules

A federal appeals court refused a request to overturn a lower court’s preliminary injunction against a 2009 law limitng individual donations to $5,000, while allowing $10,000 from unions or corporations and $50,000 from political action committees.

Best of #StateReads: Abuse Suits Against Scouts Hinge on State Laws

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in Illinois

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Seven of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in Illinois and hold 33 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in Illinois may be paying.

Public Strikes Explained: Why There Aren’t More of Them

Public employees have the right to strike in several of the nation’s largest states. But they rarely take the dramatic step of walking off the job.

As Funds Dwindle, Governors Ask for Heating Help

Rising heating costs coupled with increased austerity in Congress could leave many low-income Americans out in the cold this winter, 13 state governors warned this week.

California Scales Back Pension Benefits

A law signed by California Governor Jerry Brown on Wednesday will scale back retirement benefits for public employees in an effort to rein in the costs of the state’s woefully underfunded pension systems.

Heat Wave, Budget Cuts Strain Utility Safety Net

Budget cuts and a blistering hot spell wave left states short on cash this summer while tackling high energy demand. Now many worry about having enough heat when winter comes.

Illinois Passes on Pensions, Boots Lawmaker

The Illinois Legislature emerged from a special session Friday with one less lawmaker and no plan to address the state’s soaring pension obligations.

Illinois Lurches Forward, One Budget Crisis at a Time

Illinois faces a series of budget problems, including its latest crisis on pensions. But the drumbeat of bad news makes it easy to miss the big steps the state has already taken.

Best of #StateReads: Ex-Parks Official Had Criminal Past

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

States Crack Down on Mental Health Prescriptions

Medicaid is saving substantial amounts of money by limiting access to behavioral medications. But is it fair to the patients?

Best of #StateReads: Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman's Political Career Ended with a 'Mighty Fall'

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

The Semi-Private Lottery

With budgets still tight, states are asking lotteries to bring in more money. In some cases, that means hiring a private operator to reinvent them.

Best of #StateReads: Illinois Fails to Investigate Abuse and Neglect in Deaths of Disabled

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Citibank Adopts Pew’s Summary of Checking Account Terms & Fees

Citibank is the third major bank to announce it will voluntarily adopt Pew’s simple overview for checking accounts.

Illinois Gov. Quinn Unveils $1.6 Billion in Transit Projects

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn set in motion more than $1.6 billion in new transportation projects, which he says will create 20,000 jobs and relieve both vehicle and rail traffic congestion across his state.

Medicaid Financing of Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs

Various funding streams—federal, state, local, and private—support home visiting programs. Recently, in light of Medicaid's ability to reach so many low-income and at-risk families, interest has been growing in its potential to finance home visiting services for eligible mothers and children.

With New Fiscal Year Looming, Government Shutdowns Unlikely

A year after Minnesota’s three-week shutdown, New Jersey is the state that appears at greatest risk of starting the fiscal year without a budget.

Teach for America Alums Take Aim at State Office

Some alumni from the teaching program are making runs for state office. Many are facing opposition from teachers’ unions.