One-third of SEIU workers reject union membership
One-third of SEIU workers reject union membership
It could be because less than 22% of SEIU HCII’s spending is on representing workers – what should be the core purpose of the union.
Chicago students score lower, fewer graduate, fewer go to college
Chicago students score lower, fewer graduate, fewer go to college
The graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates in Chicago were below the statewide average in 2022. Reading and math SAT scores were also below the Illinois average. Other large districts in Cook and the collar counties performed better.
Chicago households making $100K targeted by Brandon Johnson allies
Chicago households making $100K targeted by Brandon Johnson allies
An ominously titled document by close confidants of new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson states the new administration’s top priority is to take more money from households making $100,000 or more to fund what they claim is a “just Chicago.”
DAILY LINKS / 6.7.2023
Center Square: Pritzker promotes early childhood education initiative; Republicans say it's not sustainable Chicago Tribune: President Joe Biden coming to Chicago at end of the month Sun-Times: Illinois Google users to receive about $95 as part of privacy lawsuit settlement WGN: Ex-Southwest Airlines agent charged with fraud in voucher-selling scheme at Midway CBS Chicago: 'Junk' removal company remains busy as more people opt to leave Illinois NBC 5 Chicago: Vienna Beef to reopen former Bucktown factory with restaurant, headquarters, retailers and moreIllinois grocery tax returns July 1
Illinois grocery tax returns July 1
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s temporary tax relief expires July 1 when Illinois reinstates the grocery tax instead of joining the 37 states that don’t tax groceries at all.
Pritzker ignores the signs
Pritzker ignores the signs
Full-day kindergarten mandate hits governor’s desk, but costs remain unknown
Full-day kindergarten mandate hits governor’s desk, but costs remain unknown
Illinois may soon require all public school districts to front the costs of a full-day kindergarten program starting in 2027. There is no designated financial support from the state. Opponents said it’s not about a lack of desire or need, but the lack of funding.
Pandemic cocktails to-go gets extension in Illinois
Pandemic cocktails to-go gets extension in Illinois
Illinois was one of 14 states that made it legal for restaurant and bar owners to deliver cocktails or sell them to-go as a survival tactic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. J.B. Pritzker just signed the bill to extend the policy into 2028.
Devin Jones
Devin Jones
“The biggest thing is that people need to be empowered, not the government. We’ve seen such a transfer of wealth from individual people to the government. Such a transfer of authority.”
Illinois has more graduates but with lower scores, fewer heading to college
Illinois has more graduates but with lower scores, fewer heading to college
Illinois is in the minority of states graduating a higher percentage of students during the first two years of the pandemic. But state data shows those high school students’ SAT scores are dropping and a smaller percentage are immediately continuing onto higher education.
The Policy Shop: Numbers don’t lie
The Policy Shop: Numbers don’t lie
This edition of The Policy Shop is brought to you by director of fiscal and economic research Bryce Hill. They say numbers don’t lie. If so, Illinois communities are now faced with an undeniable truth: 85% of them experienced population decline in 2022, with Chicago, the heart of our state, suffering a loss of nearly...
Illinois boosts scholarships for private colleges, but not for low-income kids
Illinois boosts scholarships for private colleges, but not for low-income kids
The Illinois General Assembly approved $100 million in grants so students can choose a private or public university. But when it comes to giving that private or public choice to low-income students, there soon may be no choice at all.
Pensions put Illinois’ 2024 budget in red by over $4B
Pensions put Illinois’ 2024 budget in red by over $4B
Illinois state lawmakers shorted pensions by $4.1 billion and killed scholarships for low-income students, but gave themselves pay raises and a new office building. Their budget leaves no room for error as revenue projections drop.
U.S. Supreme Court rules government home equity theft unconstitutional
U.S. Supreme Court rules government home equity theft unconstitutional
U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled for a widow from Minnesota whose home was seized and sold for a tax debt, but local government kept $25,000 more than she owed. The ruling should stop the practice in Illinois, where it is especially prevalent.