Illinois’ comeback story starts here.
A weekly podcast tackling Illinois' most important issues.
On April 9, the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Welfare and Work came to the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago for a field hearing to explore how the dignity of work provides a solution to poverty. The expansion of work opportunities as a key to addressing the poverty problem is a core principle...
This episode of The Policy Shop is by writer Patrick Andriesen Two recent reports show Chicago leaders are ignoring or downplaying an issue that can cost them money, residents and reputation: violent crime. Violent crime in Chicago increased by 11.5% in 2023, but the city’s arrest rate dropped compared with 2022. Standing out in a...
This edition of The Policy Shop is by Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research Chicago voters soundly rejected raising taxes on businesses and renters March 19 when they told Mayor Brandon Johnson they didn’t trust his lack of a plan to “Bring Chicago Home.” Johnson still didn’t seem to get the message, even...
This edition of The Policy Shop was written by policy analyst Hannah Schmid Here’s a word problem for Chicago students: Which is greater? Classroom A, where 1% of students can do 8th-grade math, or Classroom B, where 91% of students can do 8th-grade math. If you picked Classroom B, you are WRONG – that is,...
This edition of The Policy Shop is by Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy and staff attorney. The Chicago Teachers Union doesn’t make an investment unless it’s going to pay off. They and their affiliates put $2.5 million into their lobbyist’s campaign to get him elected Chicago mayor. The same folks spent $1.5 million to ensure private school...
This edition of The Policy Shop is by policy analyst Hannah Schmid. “We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organisation of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for your sake that we drink the milk and eat those apples.” – George Orwell, “Animal Farm” If...
This episode of The Policy Shop is by Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy and staff attorney. Chicago’s current political culture has sprung from the heart of the radical Chicago Teachers Union. CTU leaders got their lobbyist elected mayor, meaning their beliefs are dominating both the city’s and schools’ direction. But a number of...
This episode of The Policy Shop is by Director of Policy Research Joseph Tabor. During the social turmoil of the 1960s, a happy, dancing pop group emerged to emphasize unity and harmony: Up With People. “If more people were for people, All people ev’rywhere, There’d be a lot less people to worry about, And a...
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