General Assembly returns to Springfield with looming deadlines
General Assembly returns to Springfield with looming deadlines
After returning from vacation, Illinois lawmakers will operate under rapidly approaching deadlines to pass legislation.
Chicago’s new TIF district would siphon millions of property-tax dollars into city slush fund
Chicago’s new TIF district would siphon millions of property-tax dollars into city slush fund
Creating a tax increment financing district around the Lathrop Homes redevelopment will ensure that 100 percent of property-tax revenue generated on the site will go to a city-run slush fund.
CTU Strike
CTU Strike
CPS files charges against CTU for ‘illegal’ strike
CPS files charges against CTU for ‘illegal’ strike
The union’s one-day strike is an illegal, aggressive political power play, and its attempt to coerce its members to participate violates its own constitution. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline, the law and the political statement the union is making.
Illinois property taxes are crushing homeowners
Illinois property taxes are crushing homeowners
Since 1990, the average property-tax bill in Illinois has grown more than three times faster than the state's median household income.
Chicago Teachers Union’s Karen Lewis: ‘I am in the 5 percent’
Chicago Teachers Union’s Karen Lewis: ‘I am in the 5 percent’
Karen Lewis, whose six-figure salary comes from teachers’ union dues, expects rank-and-file teachers to forgo part of their salaries to participate in a one-day strike.
Job creation finally besting food-stamp enrollment in Illinois
Job creation finally besting food-stamp enrollment in Illinois
For nearly six years, Illinois was the only Midwestern state where growth in food stamps was outpacing jobs growth.
The debt never paid: Re-entry reforms for Illinois
The debt never paid: Re-entry reforms for Illinois
How to reform a broken criminal-justice system that prevents ex-offenders from achieving self-sufficiency
Chicago passes smokeless-tobacco ban for city ballparks
Chicago passes smokeless-tobacco ban for city ballparks
Chicago recently became the fourth city to ban smokeless tobacco at ballparks, and is home to the nation’s highest tobacco tax.
Teachers’ rights: What if someone doesn’t want to participate in CTU’s 1-day strike on April 1?
Teachers’ rights: What if someone doesn’t want to participate in CTU’s 1-day strike on April 1?
CPS teachers who are unsure about their options on April 1 can call 312-805-0969 for information or assistance.
Not forgiven, not forgotten: The injustice of Illinois’ scarlet letters
Not forgiven, not forgotten: The injustice of Illinois’ scarlet letters
Chicago ordinance with good intentions makes job-seeking harder for applicants who are young or black
Chicago ordinance with good intentions makes job-seeking harder for applicants who are young or black
The unintended consequences of a Chicago credit-check ordinance have harmed young and black workers, and show why lawmakers should focus on repealing the laws preventing employment for Illinoisans, rather than creating new ones.
Rinse and repeat
Rinse and repeat
Governments in Illinois can take your property without charging you with a crime
Governments in Illinois can take your property without charging you with a crime
A court decision involving the government’s seizure of more than $270,000 from two Chicagoans highlights major problems with civil asset forfeiture.