Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities
Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities
Published Jan. 25, 2024
Ron Kooyman
Ron Kooyman
“I’ve been in Chicago 30 years. I came to Chicago to do inner-city youth and children’s ministry. I was 36 years old then, and violence has gotten much worse since then. That’s horrendous for somebody to be killed by a couple of criminals in his own yard while putting [Christmas] lights on his house.” “Jose [Tellez]...
Union membership in Illinois hits record low
Union membership in Illinois hits record low
Public and private sector unions in Illinois saw another 27,000 workers reject union membership in 2023. Just 12.8% of public and private-sector workers chose union membership, the lowest it’s been in 34 years on record.
More than 2-in-5 Chicago low-income students chronically absent
More than 2-in-5 Chicago low-income students chronically absent
Chronic absenteeism rates are higher in Chicago than statewide, with 44% of low-income Chicago students missing at least 10% of their days in school.
4 Illinois schools closing without Invest in Kids scholarships, others at risk
4 Illinois schools closing without Invest in Kids scholarships, others at risk
With Invest in Kids scholarships expiring, four schools across Illinois already decided to close their doors for good. Futures for nearly 10,000 low-income students remain uncertain.
Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd-worst in U.S.
Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd-worst in U.S.
Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for third-worst in the U.S. in December 2023, despite job gains across most industries since last year. Illinois continues to lag the nation and nearly all its neighbors in job growth.
Township supervisor gets $224K, but salary drops to $25K if voters pick someone else
Township supervisor gets $224K, but salary drops to $25K if voters pick someone else
An embattled Chicago-area township supervisor is being accused of discouraging competition ahead of her campaign by cutting the position’s pay if she loses. It may be illegal, but someone would need to sue.
Chicago considers natural gas ban that could 2X heating costs
Chicago considers natural gas ban that could 2X heating costs
The Chicago City Council is considering an ordinance to effectively ban natural gas in most new buildings, including gas stoves. Energy providers warn the policy could double heating costs for Chicago homes.
18 states embrace school choice as Illinois hurts low-income families
18 states embrace school choice as Illinois hurts low-income families
Seven states enacted new private school choice programs in 2023 and 11 states expanded existing programs. But Illinois killed its Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarship program, ending the only help for nearly 10,000 low-income students.
The Chicago Teachers Union’s failed government monopoly on education
The Chicago Teachers Union’s failed government monopoly on education
Chicago hits record high car thefts, record low arrests in 2023
Chicago hits record high car thefts, record low arrests in 2023
Chicago drivers reported more car thefts in 2023 than in any year since the city started tracking them. Arrest rates hit their lowest level of the period.
Angelique Warner
Angelique Warner
“The vision and faith kept me going throughout this journey. I had a very clear vision of the functionality of GoGoVie and I had the faith to see it through.”
Carjacking outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mansion thwarted by stick-shift car
Carjacking outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mansion thwarted by stick-shift car
A Chicagoan was carjacked just outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Chicago mansion. Chicago carjackings have more than doubled since 2019, with the attackers rarely caught.
Marlon Chamberlain
Marlon Chamberlain
“If someone comes out of the system and says, ‘I want to go back to school’ or ‘I want to go and do this,’ if you continue to tell that person ‘no,’ it’s almost like you’re forcing them to go back to what they know.”