Ep. 1: How Illinois Suppresses the Vote w/ Adam Schuster
Ep. 1: How Illinois Suppresses the Vote w/ Adam Schuster
Guest: Adam Schuster
Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois
Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois
State revenue losses around the country have ranged from far less than expected to non-existent. Fiscally healthy states are giving back to taxpayers. That doesn’t include Illinois.
Crashing into Illinois’ pension reality
Crashing into Illinois’ pension reality
Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money
Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money
Classrooms First Act would benefit virtually all Illinoisans including teachers, parents and students.
Illinois falls farther behind national economic recovery in July
Illinois falls farther behind national economic recovery in July
Despite the strongest jobs report in months, Illinois’ unemployment rate remains high as the U.S. rate continues to drop.
Pritzker emergency No. 20 comes nearly 3 months after Illinois’ full reopening
Pritzker emergency No. 20 comes nearly 3 months after Illinois’ full reopening
Illinois has been ruled by executive order since early March 2020, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker reissuing statewide COVID-19 disaster proclamations every 30 days. On Aug. 20 he declared Illinois a disaster for the 20th time.
Pritzker wants local governments to use COVID-19 money for property tax relief
Pritzker wants local governments to use COVID-19 money for property tax relief
With billions in federal COVID-19 relief earmarked for Illinois schools and local government, Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushed them to use the money to lower or freeze property taxes. He made no mention of the state’s role in pushing property taxes to the second-highest in the U.S.
Chicago’s COVID-19 nurse shortage shows why Illinois must join Nurse Licensure Compact
Chicago’s COVID-19 nurse shortage shows why Illinois must join Nurse Licensure Compact
The interstate nursing license compact received bipartisan support in the Illinois General Assembly but was opposed by labor unions. COVID-19 medical staffing shortages prove the wisdom of letting nurses be more mobile.
Chicago Teachers Union claims ‘impasse’ over COVID-19 school reopenings
Chicago Teachers Union claims ‘impasse’ over COVID-19 school reopenings
The CTU president said there was an impasse, with union leaders and Chicago Public Schools administrators divided on quarantine policies and remote learning options for students. School administrators said the union is ‘rejecting the science for their own gain.’
Andrew Carlin
Andrew Carlin
“High and growing property taxes here tend to depress home values.”
Illinois hits snags with new COVID-19 vaccine verification system
Illinois hits snags with new COVID-19 vaccine verification system
Vax Verify, Illinois’ new resident immunization portal, contains incorrect COVID-19 vaccine records. In a state where data leaks and hacks have been too common, the potential for health information being exposed is a reasonable worry.
Illinois delays selling beleaguered Thompson Center in Chicago
Illinois delays selling beleaguered Thompson Center in Chicago
Illinois is again delaying the sale of the Thompson Center state office building in Chicago, which was neglected until the state could no longer afford to fix it. The state’s new delay is to take advantage of zoning changes and in the hope office space prices rebound.
How to keep government transparent through Illinois Open Meetings Act
How to keep government transparent through Illinois Open Meetings Act
Most Illinois government meetings are open to the public, with a few exceptions. Here’s what to know about Illinoisans’ rights to see what government is doing by using the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
Pritzker seeks credit upgrades despite growing pension debt, budget deficits
Pritzker seeks credit upgrades despite growing pension debt, budget deficits
Pension debt is a record $144.2 billion while Illinois’ short-term debt is on track to reach $22 billion in three years, exceeding the record $16.7 billion hit during the budget impasse.