‘Millionaire tax’ being backed by Illinois voters
‘Millionaire tax’ being backed by Illinois voters
The “millionaire tax” was being OK’d by Illinois voters, with 60.3% voting “yes” on the advisory question about raising taxes on residents earning over $1 million a year to fund property tax relief. The problem is, millionaires would not be the only tax targets.
By Patrick Andriesen
First Illinois voters to be asked overwhelmingly back public pension reform
First Illinois voters to be asked overwhelmingly back public pension reform
Barrington Township became the first local government in Illinois to back changing the Illinois Constitution so public pensions can be brought under control. While essentially an opinion poll, the overwhelming approval shows elected leaders must address this issue.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago Public Schools’ financial crisis can again be fixed by state oversight
Chicago Public Schools’ financial crisis can again be fixed by state oversight
By 1980, financial mismanagement led Chicago Public Schools to lose its ability to borrow money, to miss multiple payrolls and vendor payments, and to drop deep into debt. The state stepped in with a financial oversight authority. It’s time to do that again.
By Joe Tabor
Check here for Illinois election results
Check here for Illinois election results
No Election Day noise. Just results for the issues close to home for Illinois' and Chicago's freedom-minded voters.
By Brad Weisenstein
4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes
4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget proposes a nearly $1 billion deficit. High personnel and pension costs have Johnson breaking his campaign promise not to hike property taxes. Plus there’s no plan for long-term fixes.
By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar
Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance
Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance
Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in July 2024. One-quarter of county offices reported more than 1-in-5 residents received food help.
By Patrick Andriesen
Fewer than 1-in-3 Chicago Public Schools students read at grade level
Fewer than 1-in-3 Chicago Public Schools students read at grade level
Chicago Public Schools third- through eighth-grade state test scores increased in 2024, with reading finally surpassing 2019 levels. But for Chicago’s 11th grade students, both reading and math remained below pre-pandemic levels.
By Hannah Schmid
Chicago mayor, Chicago Teachers Union want ‘millionaire tax’ money
Chicago mayor, Chicago Teachers Union want ‘millionaire tax’ money
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is banking on $300 million in new property taxes from residents in his latest budget. He and his former coworkers at the Chicago Teachers Union want a progressive state income tax to deliver more money to them, not to property tax relief.
By Dylan Sharkey
Marsha Familaro Enright
Marsha Familaro Enright
“Part of the idea is to have people in many different professions who are knowledgeable about the principles of entrepreneurship and liberty."
Cracking down on fare evasion can help deter Chicago transit crime
Cracking down on fare evasion can help deter Chicago transit crime
Washington, D.C., and New York City have cracked down on fare evasion because it is linked to serious and violent crime. The Chicago Transit Authority should do the same to curb its growing crime problem.
By Chris Coffey
Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise
Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered his 2025 budget Oct. 30, including a nearly $1 billion deficit, runaway spending and low revenues that have him breaking his campaign promise not to raise property taxes.
By Lauren Zuar, Ravi Mishra