Illinois
In Chicago, Putting a Hot Dog in a Bun Can Get You in Trouble
I've been working in law and public policy for over 15 years, and even I had a hard time making sense of Chicago's permit rules for food vendors.
The 'Stop Nick Shirley Act': Yet Another Anti-Doxxing Law That Chills Free Speech
A lawsuit argues that a recently passed law to protect immigration service providers in California is "overbroad and vague."
Urging SCOTUS To Reject AR-15 Bans, the Trump Administration Explains Why They Are Unconstitutional
The case hinges on the distinction between "unusual" weapons and arms in common use for lawful purposes.
Illinois Will Finally Stop Stripping People of Their Home Equity—3 Years After the Supreme Court Outlawed It
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill that promises property owners will receive the surplus proceeds when the government seizes their home to satisfy a tax debt.
Police Used a Truck Inspection To Search for Drugs. The 7th Circuit Said the Fourth Amendment Forbids It.
Cops stopped a semitruck because of a drug tip, then tried to dress the illegal search up as a routine inspection.
The Mob Used To Run Sports Betting. Now DraftKings and FanDuel Do.
How sports betting moved online and started a debate about its benefits and negatives.
Capping Credit Card Fees Threatens To Hurt Consumers and Small Businesses
Lawmakers can’t change the fact that expenses must be offset somewhere.
Your Uber Driver May Soon Be Unionized. At What Cost?
It is in part an attempt to treat gig workers as full-scale employees rather than independent contractors. Drivers and riders will pay the price.
Illinois Just Adopted a Half-Baked Scheme to Tax Social Media
A lack of comprehension and sloppy language make a mess of a new tax scheme.
Illinois Plans Tax Break for Billionaires and the Chicago Bears. Everyone Else Could End Up Paying More.
A new Bears stadium and Gov. J.B. Pritzker himself stand to gain if the legislation passes.
Republicans Fumble Away Fiscal Conservatism in Stadium Subsidy Projects
Small-government conservatives are tripping over themselves to give millions of taxpayer dollars to billionaires.
Child Care Costs Over $13,000 a Year. Regulation Is a Big Reason Why.
Government rules have made it far more expensive for families.
Chicago Progressives Voted To Freeze Minimum Wage Hikes for Restaurant Workers. Why Won't the Mayor Listen?
While eliminating the tipped wage may sound like a win on paper for waiters, the results have been disconcerting.
Daniel Biss Wins in Illinois Despite Student Dating Scandal
Does this mean the #MeToo era is officially over?
A Consumer Fraud Complaint About 'Boneless Wings' Won't Fly, a Federal Judge Rules
Aimen Halim sued Buffalo Wild Wings, saying he was tricked into buying chicken breast nuggets when he thought he was getting deboned wings.
The Case Against Deferring to Presidential Invocations of the Insurrection Act
Prof. Josh Braver questions the conventional wisdom on this issue.
19 States That Legalized Marijuana Use Nevertheless Say It Should Disqualify People From Owning Guns
They are joining the Trump administration in urging the Supreme Court to uphold a federal law that disarms "unlawful" drug consumers.
Thoughts on the Supreme Court Ruling Against Trump in the Illinois National Guard Case
The decision is a preliminary "shadow docket" ruling. But it strongly suggests the majority believes Trump's use of the Guard is illegal.
Refusing To Let Trump Deploy the National Guard in Chicago, SCOTUS Adds a New Wrinkle To the Debate
The justices suggested the president is misinterpreting "the regular forces," a key phrase in the statute on which he is relying.
Chicago Is the Latest Example of How Public School Spending Doesn't Prioritize Students
Misused pandemic funds, luxury travel, and declining achievement reveal a crisis of priorities—one only school choice can fix.
Chicago Cops Ignore the Law, Arrest Legal Gun Owners
Once we let our rights become privileges, government officials can revoke them on a whim.
Maybe AI Therapists Will Suck. That Doesn't Mean We Should Ban Them.
It is possible to be both skeptical of the supposed effectiveness of AI therapy and wary of sweeping state regulations.
Seventh Circuit Rules Against Trump's Use of National Guard in Chicago
The Court of Appeals unanimously refused to stay a trial court ruling against Trump, signaling the judges believe his use of the Guard is illegal.
Federal Judge in Chicago Demands Body Cams for Immigration Agents Amid Brutality Claims
U.S. District Court Judge Sara L. Ellis is “profoundly concerned” about the continued clashing between protestors and federal agents despite her temporary restraining order issued last week.
Deference Due? Trump, the National Guard, and the Misuse of Martin v. Mott
A guest post by Joshua Braver and John Dehn.
Video Shows Federal Agents Arresting a Chicago Journalist. They Now Say She Threw Objects at Their Vehicle.
The arrest comes less than a day after a federal judge ordered federal law enforcement to stop impeding reporters and protesters.
Trump Won't Invoke the Insurrection Act—As Long As He Can Use the National Guard However He Wants
If the courts try to enforce legal limits on the president's military deployments, he can resort to an alarmingly broad statute that gives him more discretion.
Trump Calls for Arrest of Chicago Mayor and Illinois Gov. Pritzker
As Illinois resists the federal immigration blitz, the Trump administration ups the ante on authoritarian rhetoric.
Trump Sued—Again—for Unlawful and Unconstitutional Deployment of National Guard
This is the second lawsuit in a week challenging the Trump administration's National Guard deployments absent a qualifying emergency.
Sending in the Guard
Plus: Kilmar Abrego Garcia's case, what's wrong with emergency rooms, and more...
The NFL's Fight for Stadium Subsidies Is Heating Up
Will city and state governments get swindled by sports teams?
Does Mental Health Awareness Make Things Worse?
Illinois wants to give mental health screenings to elementary schoolers. Will that actually help struggling kids?
Federal Court Rejects Trump Lawsuit Challenging Illinois Sanctuary Policies
The court ruled the state and local policies are protected by the Tenth Amendment.
The Government Seized Her Home for a Project That Never Happened
Twenty years after Susette Kelo lost at the Supreme Court, the land where her house once stood is still an empty lot.
Illinois' Sports Betting Tax Means All Bets Are Off
Does Gov. J.B. Pritzker think this helps his presidential profile?
Illinois Cops Gave ICE Access to More Than 5,000 Surveillance Cameras Nationwide
A camera network developed to help find missing cars and persons is now being used for immigration enforcement.
Chicago Cancels Cinco de Mayo Parade Over Fears of ICE Deportations
The Windy City has been the target of ICE’s ire since President Donald Trump took office.
