Marcus Lucy
Marcus Lucy
“Inflation is definitely hitting me on the personal side."
Fact check: Typical Illinoisan pays $2,288 more in property taxes under Pritzker
Fact check: Typical Illinoisan pays $2,288 more in property taxes under Pritzker
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s claim a rebate provides property tax relief doesn’t add up. Even after the rebate, homeowners will still have paid over $2,000 more in property taxes under Pritzker.
Ep. 50: Why so many parents are leaving Chicago Public Schools
Ep. 50: Why so many parents are leaving Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools students and families returned for the 2022-23 school year. But with record low enrollment, one-third of those schools will be half-empty. Mailee Smith joins the Policy Shop to share why militant tactics from the Chicago Teachers Union have led to higher CPS costs, lower enrollment and lower test scores. This week’s Policy...
Pritzker extends COVID emergency powers for 33rd time
Pritzker extends COVID emergency powers for 33rd time
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is declaring Illinois a disaster for the 33rd time since the pandemic began, meaning he’s given himself emergency powers for nearly 70% of his term.
Report: More Illinois debt likely following misuse of federal aid money
Report: More Illinois debt likely following misuse of federal aid money
A Truth in Accounting report argued state authorities should have used billions in federal aid to pay down interest on existing pension debt rather than save it for a rainy day. Experts warn this could lead to more state borrowing.
Illinois special interests seize power through low voter turnout
Illinois special interests seize power through low voter turnout
Illinois mandates off-year municipal elections, but they result in lower voter turnout that gives powerful special interest groups more influence and diminishes local voters’ concerns.
Illinois unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation, highest in Midwest
Illinois unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation, highest in Midwest
Illinois stands as one of the states with the most to gain – and lose – as the national economy continues to surpass job growth expectations.
Illinois adds 31,200 jobs in July, still missing 88,600 from pandemic
Illinois adds 31,200 jobs in July, still missing 88,600 from pandemic
Illinois’ employment recovery continued in July, but the state is still missing nearly 1 in 9 jobs lost during the pandemic.
One-third of Chicago Public Schools are half full
One-third of Chicago Public Schools are half full
Smaller student population and worsening test scores continue despite more funding.
Marion Gipson
Marion Gipson
“Sometimes I think about how many more customers we’d have if the city wasn’t so overbearing about tickets and taxes.”
9 myths about mail-in voting in Illinois
9 myths about mail-in voting in Illinois
Illinois citizens can now permanently register to vote by mail, allowing residents to cast their ballots from the comfort of their own home. Here are the facts about mail-in voting.
Sam Sanchez
Sam Sanchez
“It’s tough because many businesses closed and those that survived are having a slower recovery. There are a lot of people, including myself, who haven't been able to fully reopen because we’re short-staffed. The cost of labor has increased so much, it’s hard to compete.”
Amendment 1: Property taxes are too low for Illinois unions
Amendment 1: Property taxes are too low for Illinois unions
Just 19% of CTU’s spending in 2021 was to represent teachers
Just 19% of CTU’s spending in 2021 was to represent teachers
Only $134 of each Chicago Teachers Union member’s dues is actually spent on representing Chicago Public Schools teachers. The rest is spent on other CTU leadership priorities and on the union hierarchy.