Tinley Park teachers union may strike Sept. 22
Tinley Park teachers union may strike Sept. 22
District 146 Educators Council has voted to authorize a strike. If an agreement is not reached, teachers in Tinley Park could strike as soon as Sept. 22.
Illinois: We’re No. 1
Illinois: We’re No. 1
Food aid feeds almost 2M statewide in May, 1-in-3 in southern counties
Food aid feeds almost 2M statewide in May, 1-in-3 in southern counties
Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dropped by 3.2% in May. Still, nearly 2 million Illinoisans relied on federal food aid, with participation rates exceeding 30% in some Southern Illinois counties.
1,065 Illinoisans laid off in August, with 276 at Diverse Facility Solutions
1,065 Illinoisans laid off in August, with 276 at Diverse Facility Solutions
Illinois companies announced 1,065 mass layoffs in August. Minority-owned Diverse Facility Solutions, headquartered in Alsip, Illinois, and two other janitorial services companies accounted for nearly half of the jobs lost.
Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union sets Sept. 18 strike date
Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union sets Sept. 18 strike date
Teachers in the 10th-largest school district in Illinois may be on the picket lines instead of in classrooms with students on Sept. 18. Romeoville and Bolingbrook teachers are paid more than the state average but are pushing for more.
See how well your local 3rd graders can read
See how well your local 3rd graders can read
Third grade is a critical year for young readers, predicting the success of their future education. See how well your local schools are doing at producing proficient readers by the end of third grade.
Chicago pensions carry more debt than 44 states
Chicago pensions carry more debt than 44 states
Chicago’s pension systems carry over $53 billion in debt, leaving taxpayers with rising bills and no reform in sight.
New iPhone launches, but Illinoisans pay nation’s highest taxes to use it
New iPhone launches, but Illinoisans pay nation’s highest taxes to use it
Apple’s new iPhone launch on Sept. 9 may be a celebration for tech consumers, but it also makes the Illinois taxman smile. Illinois already had the nation’s highest tax rate on cell phone plans before it bumped up even more July 1.
When will Cook County expect 2nd property tax payment? Good question.
When will Cook County expect 2nd property tax payment? Good question.
The second installment of Cook County property taxes should have been paid Aug. 1. The county can’t get the calculations completed, so the bills are on hold.
Vallas: Chicago needs federal intervention, but not National Guard
Vallas: Chicago needs federal intervention, but not National Guard
Federal help is needed in Chicago, but it should be professional law enforcement and encompass the entire justice system. Sending just the National Guard is destined to create problems when Chicago’s embattled communities need solutions.
Chicago Teachers Union president claims Southern Illinois takes more than it makes
Chicago Teachers Union president claims Southern Illinois takes more than it makes
The Chicago Teachers Union exerts power not only over the city of Chicago, but also statewide. Southern Illinois schools and their funding is the target of CTU leaders’ latest attack.
Illinois property tax rate tops U.S., but pain worse in some areas
Illinois property tax rate tops U.S., but pain worse in some areas
Illinois' high property taxes hurt the economy, particularly in communities already struggling. When government overtaxes, residents and businesses flee – leaving those remaining with a bigger tax bill.
Southwestern Illinois taxpayers hand airport $160M to keep it open
Southwestern Illinois taxpayers hand airport $160M to keep it open
MidAmerica St. Louis Airport has been a drain on taxpayers since it opened in 1995, requiring money from other county funds to keep it open. That total jumped last year to $14.83 million, bringing total subsidies since 2002 to $160 million.
Can your family get federal school choice grants? Likely, if Pritzker OKs
Can your family get federal school choice grants? Likely, if Pritzker OKs
Use our calculator to see if your family is eligible to receive a school choice grant from the Educational Choice for Children Act. Then, sign the petition to tell Gov. J.B. Pritzker to let Illinois join the federal program.