With district spending up, CPS schools still face cuts amid shrinking enrollment
With district spending up, CPS schools still face cuts amid shrinking enrollment
CPS’ 2017-18 budget shows cuts for many schools as student populations shrink, despite an increase in per-pupil spending for the district as a whole.
By Robert Brutvan
New education funding plan repeats Chicago Public Schools bailout history
New education funding plan repeats Chicago Public Schools bailout history
Senate Bill 1 is yet another unfair bailout of long-term mismanagement within Chicago Public Schools.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
The battle over Airbnb in Lake Bluff, Illinois
The battle over Airbnb in Lake Bluff, Illinois
Lake Bluff homeowners home sharing with Airbnb were forced to cease and desist by the village zoning board.
By John Kristof
Rauner calls special session on education finance bill
Rauner calls special session on education finance bill
The special session will deal with Senate Bill 1, an education finance bill that contains an annual $215 million pension bailout for Chicago Public Schools.
By Brendan Bakala
Chicago suburbs eye new dining, alcohol taxes
Chicago suburbs eye new dining, alcohol taxes
Suburbs such as Downers Grove make dining out costlier through tax hikes.
By John Kristof
Trump administration undermines Illinois civil asset forfeiture reforms
Trump administration undermines Illinois civil asset forfeiture reforms
The reinstatement of a federal asset forfeiture program marks a step backward for civil asset forfeiture reform.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois’ 32% income tax hike shows need for taxpayer bill of rights
Illinois’ 32% income tax hike shows need for taxpayer bill of rights
Illinois taxpayers deserve to have a voice in budgeting decisions as politicians continually look to hike their taxes.
Martwick, property tax lawyer, fails to disclose political cash
Martwick, property tax lawyer, fails to disclose political cash
State Rep. Robert Martwick blamed “poorly written” ethics laws for his failure to disclose income from political consulting work.
By Austin Berg
Illinois unemployment rises slightly despite shrinking workforce
Illinois unemployment rises slightly despite shrinking workforce
Illinois’ June jobs data show 4,300 more Illinoisans are unemployed and the state’s labor force is down 20,400 people.
By Kevin Angell
AFSCME pressuring Cook County Commissioners to raise sales, alcohol, parking and cigarette taxes
AFSCME pressuring Cook County Commissioners to raise sales, alcohol, parking and cigarette taxes
AFSCME officials proposed seven tax increases for Cook County as a way to save union jobs, including an increase in the county sales tax, a new head tax and doubling the amusement tax to 6 percent, despite the county’s local tax burden already being among the highest in the nation.
By Chris Lentino
While Chicago Public Schools calls for state bailout, Chicago TIF districts bring in record $561M in revenue in 2016
While Chicago Public Schools calls for state bailout, Chicago TIF districts bring in record $561M in revenue in 2016
Slush fund hits record amounts as Chicago looks to the state for a bailout.
By Chris Lentino
CPS to spend an additional $200 per student for the 2017-18 school year
CPS to spend an additional $200 per student for the 2017-18 school year
Cash-strapped and debt-ridden Chicago Public Schools plans to increase per-pupil funding by roughly $200 a student over last year’s budget.
By Robert Brutvan
Federal bill would give more rights to workers in unionized workplaces
Federal bill would give more rights to workers in unionized workplaces
A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would allow workers a real say in which union represents them, require secret ballots for union voting, and ensure that all workers’ voices count – not just those who align with the union.
By Mailee Smith