Joseph Miscimarra
Joseph Miscimarra
Joseph Miscimarra is a proponent of additional dwelling units, such as coach houses and granny flats. He supports a Chicago City Council ordinance that would expand and improve a pilot program to again allow the units, but the proposal is currently stalled in committee. “In the spring of 2023, some friends from college told me...
Amendment would allow Illinoisans to recall state leaders, local politicians
Amendment would allow Illinoisans to recall state leaders, local politicians
Illinoisans would have the chance to recall state and local politicians under a proposal in Springfield.
By Dylan Sharkey
3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes
3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes
Chicago might have just avoided a property tax hike, but city leaders couldn’t figure out how to pass the 2025 budget without other tax and fee increases. Here’s what the city should do to avoid repeating the same budgeting mistakes next year.
By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar
46 towns have passed a grocery tax. Is your town next?
46 towns have passed a grocery tax. Is your town next?
Already 46 towns around Illinois have voted to impose a 1% grocery tax in 2026. Other Illinoisans will start to save 1% on groceries when the statewide tax ends.
By Dylan Sharkey
Vallas: What new school board members should know about Chicago Public Schools
Vallas: What new school board members should know about Chicago Public Schools
Chicago’s first elected school board was just sworn into office. Here’s what members should know about what the Chicago Teachers Union has done to damage Chicago Public Schools and the city’s children, plus eight steps to undo the damage.
By Paul Vallas
5 principles to guide Illinois’ public pension reform
5 principles to guide Illinois’ public pension reform
With nearly $214 billion in state and local pension debt threatening both retirees and government finances, Illinois needs a new path forward. Here are five principles to guide the state, protect taxpayers and safeguard public servants.
By LyLena Estabine
Mass layoffs hit 14.7K Illinoisans in 2024, most from business closures
Mass layoffs hit 14.7K Illinoisans in 2024, most from business closures
State reports show 14,723 Illinoisans lost their jobs because of mass layoffs during 2024, with two-thirds resulting from business closures.
By Patrick Andriesen
Proposed law would let Chicagoans recall Mayor Johnson in special election
Proposed law would let Chicagoans recall Mayor Johnson in special election
House Bill 1084 would provide relief to the 70% of voters disapproving of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson by creating a process to recall the mayor.
By Mailee Smith
Elizabeth Nachtwey
Elizabeth Nachtwey
“This is a trade. It’s something that should be accessible for these communities. As it is, that kind of commitment together with the cost of training makes it very difficult to do.”
Illinois government pensioners deserve more control over their funds
Illinois government pensioners deserve more control over their funds
Expanding retirement savings plans as an option for all new Illinois state employees would give them choice and likely improve the state’s pension crisis.
By LyLena Estabine
How many gang crimes occurred in your Chicago neighborhood?
How many gang crimes occurred in your Chicago neighborhood?
How often did gang crimes happen in your Chicago neighborhood? Here’s what the Chicago Police data shows.
By Patrick Andriesen