Steps and lanes: Understanding how Chicago public school teachers get multiple pay raises each year
Steps and lanes: Understanding how Chicago public school teachers get multiple pay raises each year
Chicago teachers’ salaries are based on a complex and convoluted system that has provided teachers with annual pay increases well in excess of the 2.75 to 3 percent raises proposed by the district.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Rauner’s criminal-justice reform commission issues first recommendations
Rauner’s criminal-justice reform commission issues first recommendations
The commission’s 14 policy suggestions aim to safely reduce Illinois’ prison population by 25 percent by 2025.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Why Indiana’s population grows faster than Illinois’
Why Indiana’s population grows faster than Illinois’
Illinois’ weak jobs growth is driving more residents to other states on net than Illinois gains from other states, from natural growth in births or from international immigration.
By Michael Lucci
Center of Chicago red-light-camera scandal found guilty on all charges
Center of Chicago red-light-camera scandal found guilty on all charges
A federal jury convicted former transportation official John Bills of fraud, extortion, bribery and more.
By Austin Berg
2016 State of the State BINGO!
2016 State of the State BINGO!
Play BINGO! with us during Gov. Rauner's State of the State address at noon on Wednesday! Win free stuff!
Illinois to issue $500M in bonds, continues to pay highest borrowing rate of all 50 states
Illinois to issue $500M in bonds, continues to pay highest borrowing rate of all 50 states
Illinois’ monthslong budget gridlock, $111 billion in government-worker pension debt, and more than a decade of unbalanced budgets have resulted in credit downgrades for Illinois and the highest borrowing costs of any state in the nation.
By Ted Dabrowski
How the Liberty Justice Center fought for freedom in 2015
How the Liberty Justice Center fought for freedom in 2015
From challenging the forced unionization of home caregivers and day care providers to suing to stop Chicago from collecting a “Netflix tax,” the Liberty Justice Center has fought for its clients’ constitutional rights and against illegal taxation.
Top 5 corruption stories of 2015
Top 5 corruption stories of 2015
From taxpayer- and donor-funded spending sprees by the president of an Illinois public college, to Chicago’s red-light-camera ticketing and kick-back schemes, 2015 has been rife with instances of public corruption and lack of government transparency.
Lincolnshire voters overwhelmingly support Right to Work
Lincolnshire voters overwhelmingly support Right to Work
In the face of strident union opposition, Lincolnshire’s Village Board voted 5-1 to pass a worker-freedom ordinance.
By Jim Long
Illinois considers privacy law while the state violates privacy of thousands
Illinois considers privacy law while the state violates privacy of thousands
While the state moves to impose costly new requirements on private businesses in the name of privacy, the state is itself violating the privacy of thousands of Illinoisans.
Kentucky governor-elect: 401(k)-style plans for new government employees
Kentucky governor-elect: 401(k)-style plans for new government employees
Kentucky’s governor-elect wants 401(k)s for new government employees.
By Ted Dabrowski
Chicago aldermen call for $500 licenses for Airbnb renters
Chicago aldermen call for $500 licenses for Airbnb renters
If Chicago politicians have their way, Airbnb prices will rise as the city enforces $500 licensing requirements against those who rent out rooms through online services.
Strong Illinois jobs report in October, but manufacturing losses continue
Strong Illinois jobs report in October, but manufacturing losses continue
New federal jobs data reveal Illinois gained 14,100 jobs overall during October, but lost 1,900 manufacturing jobs during this time.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois’ low-income and blue-collar workers are the worst-paid in the region
Illinois’ low-income and blue-collar workers are the worst-paid in the region
Although Illinois’ top earners make more than most of their regional counterparts, Illinois’ bottom quarter of earners have the lowest wages in the Midwest
By Michael Lucci