Pritzker proposes to permanently repeal the 1% state grocery tax. That’s good. The ballooning size of the state budget, not so good.
This episode of The Policy Shop is by Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy and staff attorney. Chicago’s current political culture has sprung from the heart of the radical Chicago Teachers Union. CTU leaders got their lobbyist elected mayor, meaning their beliefs are dominating both the city’s and schools’ direction. But a number of...
The pandemic had an upside for Illinois state finances – infusing federal dollars as state revenues exceeded projections. Now federal aid is gone. Illinoisans’ ongoing struggles warrant caution, reform in the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget.
A new bill would revive a scholarship program that was stripped from 9,600 low-income Illinois students, ending their best chances to attend schools of their choice.
Illinois will spend over $50 billion this year to operate state government, which is $10 billion more than when J.B. Pritzker first started spending your taxes. Here are some reasons to pay attention to the upcoming state budget.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is pulling the plug on the city’s gunshot detection system in a bow to his “defund the police” allies. But his decision is based on four false criticisms of the ShotSpotter technology. Here are the facts.
Illinois lawmakers will consider expanding the power for citizens to amend the Illinois Constitution through petitions, including for issues such as term limits and to end gerrymandering.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s drivers accumulated 14 traffic tickets for speeding or running red lights – with 12 still unpaid – totaling $1,640.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson faces many challenges, but his biggest may be the loss of faith from moderate voters. Without their trust, he’ll have a tough time getting the higher taxes he seeks March 19.
Combined state and average local sales tax rate tallies 8.85% in Illinois for 2024. That’s the highest in the Midwest and seventh highest in the nation.
The Chicago Teachers Union hasn’t released an annual audit, required by its internal rules, for at least four fiscal years. What’s happening with members’ dues?
This episode of The Policy Shop is by Director of Policy Research Joseph Tabor. During the social turmoil of the 1960s, a happy, dancing pop group emerged to emphasize unity and harmony: Up With People. “If more people were for people, All people ev’rywhere, There’d be a lot less people to worry about, And a...