Female Chicagoans 21% more likely to be impoverished than males
Female Chicagoans 21% more likely to be impoverished than males
The male-female poverty gap is higher in Chicago than in other cities.
Poverty highest for Black, Asian Chicagoans; lower for white, Hispanic residents
Poverty highest for Black, Asian Chicagoans; lower for white, Hispanic residents
Poverty in Chicago’s Black community is on the rise despite falling to record lows nationally.
Chicago Public Schools dysfunction hits low-income, minority students
Chicago Public Schools dysfunction hits low-income, minority students
Spring test data shows low-income and minority students in Chicago Public Schools continue to record low proficiency rates. The Chicago Teachers Union wants to kill a school choice program that could help those students.
Oak Lawn renews business license amnesty
Oak Lawn renews business license amnesty
Illinois Policy Institute research inspired Oak Lawn to waive licensing fees for hundreds of businesses in the village. The village board unanimously voted to extend the amnesty.
Census: 97% of Illinoisans moving out head to lower-tax states
Census: 97% of Illinoisans moving out head to lower-tax states
State-to-state migration estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau showed Illinois lost residents to 36 states and Washington, D.C. Nearly all the former Illinoisans moved to lower-tax states.
Most Chicago students still read, perform math below grade level
Most Chicago students still read, perform math below grade level
Chicago students made gains in proficiency in reading and math on 2023 state assessments compared to 2022, but most students continue to perform below grade level. Overall student proficiency rates remain worse than before the pandemic.
Vallas: How to boost Chicago Police Department strength, morale
Vallas: How to boost Chicago Police Department strength, morale
Mayor Brandon Johnson deserves much credit for approving a new Chicago Police Department contract that is generous and fair. Now comes the big question.
Governor’s doors locked on students advocating school choice at rally
Governor’s doors locked on students advocating school choice at rally
A rally Nov. 1 outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office in Chicago ended with private school students finding themselves locked out of the public building. They were there to ask Pritzker to save the Invest in Kids program.
The Policy Shop: Illinois’ last stand for school choice
The Policy Shop: Illinois’ last stand for school choice
Illinois schoolchildren did a little better this past school year, but they are still behind where they were before the pandemic hit and put them out of their classrooms for large blocks of time. It’s interesting timing as Illinois state lawmakers are showing too little interest in keeping the one thing that worked during the...
Cook County property taxes up $909 million
Cook County property taxes up $909 million
Cook County property taxes rose by $909 million. Property owners should expect bills in the mail after Nov. 1, which are due Dec. 1
Matthew Hamer
Matthew Hamer
Matthew Hamer grew up on Chicago’s South Side. In junior high, his family of four was evicted from their one-bedroom apartment, leaving them in homeless shelters. An abundance of hard work and the intervention of a highly committed teacher allowed Matthew and his brother, Levy, to graduate college and find successful careers. “I still remember...
Illinois student proficiency up in 2023, but two-thirds still read below grade level
Illinois student proficiency up in 2023, but two-thirds still read below grade level
Illinois state education administrators celebrated academic progress in 2023, but student achievement is still behind where it was before COVID-19 hit. Chronic absenteeism remained high. Enrollment dropped again.
Pritzker: Invest in Kids needs a lifeguard
Pritzker: Invest in Kids needs a lifeguard
Want to eradicate Chicago poverty? Create more full-time jobs
Want to eradicate Chicago poverty? Create more full-time jobs
Data shows full-time, year-round employment virtually guarantees Chicagoans will live above the poverty line.