Daniel McClure
Daniel McClure
“I’m 96 years old. Would you believe it? “This will tell you how old I am: I was one of the first black machinists in Chicago … I mopped floors at a canning company, and the owner’s son was a really nice guy. He taught me how to use a drill press in secret. No...
Springfield couldn’t bail out Chicago Public Schools even if it wanted to
Springfield couldn’t bail out Chicago Public Schools even if it wanted to
State-run teacher pensions have a shortfall of $37,000 per student, while Chicago's shortfall totals $24,000.
By Ted Dabrowski
Chicago teachers highest paid among nation’s 50 largest school districts
Chicago teachers highest paid among nation’s 50 largest school districts
Among the U.S.’ 50 largest school districts, CPS teachers’ pay ranks No. 1 for teachers with a bachelor’s degree and five years’ experience, No. 2 for first-year teachers with a bachelor’s degree, and No. 3 for first-year teachers with a master’s degree.
By Amy Korte
Illinois EPA has stopped mailing vehicle emissions test notices
Illinois EPA has stopped mailing vehicle emissions test notices
Budget gridlock in Springfield has caused the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to stop mailing notices of vehicle-emissions-test requirements to vehicle owners.
By Amy Korte
Special Service Areas: Chicago’s little-known taxing bodies
Special Service Areas: Chicago’s little-known taxing bodies
Special Service Areas levy taxes on Chicagoans over and above the already steep taxes and fees imposed by the city.
By Chris Lentino
Reform commission targets occupational licensing
Reform commission targets occupational licensing
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s criminal-justice reform commission urges removing overbroad occupational licensing restrictions that bar ex-offenders from pursuing work in over 118 professions.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Chicago cops retire to dodge punishment, collect 6-figure pensions
Chicago cops retire to dodge punishment, collect 6-figure pensions
Since Chicago officials received a city watchdog investigation recommending six officers be disciplined for their roles surrounding the killing of David Koschman by a nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, three have retired.
By Austin Berg
Chicago Public Schools sells $725M in bonds with 8.5% interest rate
Chicago Public Schools sells $725M in bonds with 8.5% interest rate
The district’s borrowing does take pressure off of the district’s immediate cash-flow problem. However, it does nothing to solve the CPS’ long-term financial crisis and its structural imbalances – in fact it only makes things worse.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Emanuel promises another Chicago property-tax hike
Emanuel promises another Chicago property-tax hike
Mere months after passing the largest tax hike in modern Chicago history, Mayor Rahm Emanuel vows to hit residents with even higher property-tax bills, this time to bail out pension mismanagement by Chicago Public Schools officials – behavior tacitly endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union.
By Austin Berg
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