Illinois’ state and local effective tax rate ranks the highest in the nation, according to a new study of tax burdens imposed by the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

In-state tuition and book costs for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will continue to be among the highest for schools in the Big 10 conference, despite the UI Board of Trustees' vote on Thursday to extend an in-state tuition freeze for the fifth-straight year.

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Southern Illinois University-Carbondale ranked No. 24 for student athletic participation in the state, according to a Carbondale Reporter analysis of college sports participation.

In a list of the 30 most populous counties in Illinois, Jackson County ranked No. 14 for the rate of abortions performed there in 2017, according to an Illinois Department of Public Health report issued in December, which tracks abortions performed on an annual basis.

Jackson and Williamson counties accounted for about 82 of the 39,329 abortions performed statewide in 2017, according to an Illinois Department of Public Health report issued in December, which tracks abortions performed on an annual basis.

Men’s head coach salaries at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale outpace women’s team coaches by 40 percent, according to a Carbondale Reporter analysis of recent U.S. Department of Education data.

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale volleyball brought in $42,025 per athlete in revenue in 2016, making it among the highest-grossing volleyball programs in Illinois that year, according to a Carbondale Reporter analysis of U.S. Department of Education data.

Illinois received a score of 72 on making key financial information accessible and understandable to the public, according to a new report from Truth in Accounting (TIA), a Chicago-based policy institute.

Unlike the dynamic four years ago, a majority of the Illinois House races – 56 percent – will be competitive contests pitting major party candidates during the Nov. 6 midterm election.

An annual Illinois assessment of student, school and school district performance labels more than 77 percent of K-12 schools as exemplary or commendable, even though students' academic test results appear static and sub-par in many instances

The number of Illinois House races being contested by major-party candidates on Nov. 6 is up 13.6 percent over the last midterm election in 2014, according to a Prairie State Wire analysis.

Head coaches of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale women’s teams earn an average of $82,114 annually – the 10th highest average salary in the state – according to a Carbondale Reporter analysis of federal education data.

Tremont Grade School in Tremont was among 24 Illinois K-12 schools named as 2018 Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

South Park Elementary School in Deerfield was among 24 Illinois K-12 schools named as 2018 Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

Libertyville High School in Libertyville was among 24 Illinois K-12 schools named as 2018 Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

Giant City School in Carbondale was among 24 Illinois K-12 schools named as 2018 Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

Jonesboro State House candidate Marsha Griffin received another $69,363 from Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) between Sept. 6 and Sept. 30, state filings show.

Carterville State House candidate Jason Woolard received another $28,804 from Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) between Sept. 6 and Sept. 30, state filings show.

Southern Illilnois University at Carbondale football brought in $39,307 per athlete in revenue in 2016, making it the fourth highest-grossing football program in the state that year, according to a Carbondale Reporter analysis of U.S. Department of Education data.