Rena Garrett
Rena Garrett
“If it weren’t for the scholarship, he probably would have been home taught. Public school was just not an option for him.”
Vallas: Chicago has a new police chief, what’s his plan to fix the city’s crime problem?
Vallas: Chicago has a new police chief, what’s his plan to fix the city’s crime problem?
Larry Snelling, formerly the Chicago Police Department’s counterterrorism bureau chief, was selected Aug. 13 to become CPD’s next superintendent. Now, the city needs clarity on his plans to address Chicago’s crime problems.
Illinois recovered pandemic-era job losses in July – a year later than the rest of the country
Illinois recovered pandemic-era job losses in July – a year later than the rest of the country
The state finally surpassed January 2020 job levels after 37 states had already done so, including all of Illinois’ neighbors except Michigan.
The Policy Shop: Pension debt and property tax pain
The Policy Shop: Pension debt and property tax pain
This edition of The Policy Shop is brought to you by Josh Bandoch, head of policy. Politicians love to make promises. Here’s one: Your property taxes won’t go up! Mayor Brandon Johnson has made that vow. Many of his predecessors had, too. That won’t help anyone who owes Cook County property taxes for the remainder...
Pritzker signs charter neutrality bill, Chicago Teachers Union fights to weaken charter schools
Pritzker signs charter neutrality bill, Chicago Teachers Union fights to weaken charter schools
Contracts at 35 Chicago charter schools represented by the Chicago Teachers Union are up for negotiations this year. CTU, with the help of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and House Bill 1120, is positioning itself to grow its power by diminishing charter schools as an alternative for parents and students.
Illinois’ gas tax hikes: Pritzker did that
Illinois’ gas tax hikes: Pritzker did that
Vallas: Youth crime is on the rise in Chicago – and CTU’s school closures may be to blame for the trend
Vallas: Youth crime is on the rise in Chicago – and CTU’s school closures may be to blame for the trend
Rising crime in Chicago is being driven by an increase in youth crime – as a result of the Chicago Teachers Union’s policies and agenda, which undermine police and public safety.
August is teacher opt out time: know your rights as an Illinois public school employee
August is teacher opt out time: know your rights as an Illinois public school employee
Educators and other public school employees in Illinois can opt out of union membership in August and stop paying dues.
Chicago Teachers Union: politics over pupils
Chicago Teachers Union: politics over pupils
Chicago gun violence by neighborhood: South, West sides remain most dangerous
Chicago gun violence by neighborhood: South, West sides remain most dangerous
Chicago Police Department reports show shootings in 2022 were 32% higher than 2019. Shootings in the Loop tripled during that time.
Illinois’ population melts away under Pritzker
Illinois’ population melts away under Pritzker
Join thousands of public school employees who left their union
Join thousands of public school employees who left their union
Nearly 23,000 educators and other public school employees have chosen not to affiliate with their unions. You’re not alone if you choose to opt-out this August.
Illinoisans pay 2nd highest gas taxes in the nation
Illinoisans pay 2nd highest gas taxes in the nation
Illinoisans pay the nation’s second-highest gas taxes behind California thanks to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s automatic gas tax hikes. Illinois motorists faced two hikes in 2023.
The Policy Shop: The crisis facing Chicago Public Schools
The Policy Shop: The crisis facing Chicago Public Schools
This edition of The Policy Shop is brought to you by Policy Analyst Hannah Schmid. Chicago Public Schools math and reading scores are some of the worst in the country. But there’s a little-known subset of schools that are suffering more than others. Empty, failing, forgotten. It’s hard to believe, but Chicago Public Schools is home...