Ep. 7: Fact-checking Chicago’s budget with Adam Schuster
Ep. 7: Fact-checking Chicago’s budget with Adam Schuster
Guest: Adam Schuster
Pritzker says continued COVID decline could end his mask mandate
Pritzker says continued COVID decline could end his mask mandate
Gov. J.B. Pritzker hinted Illinoisans could see indoor mask mandates lifted if state coronavirus transmissions continue to fall. He wouldn’t give a specific target.
Chicago may hand $500 monthly for a year to 5,000 low-income families
Chicago may hand $500 monthly for a year to 5,000 low-income families
Chicago might spend $32 million on the nation’s largest test of universal basic income. What happens after that year is one question, as is whether handing out cash will truly fix anything.
Pritzker’s covid goalposts
Pritzker’s covid goalposts
Updated ISBE policy puts private schools on probation for defying mask mandates instead of immediately revoking state recognition
Updated ISBE policy puts private schools on probation for defying mask mandates instead of immediately revoking state recognition
Private schools will be granted a 60-day probation to address COVID-19 compliance issues in line with public school standards under ISBE’s updated policy. Nonrecognized schools were put on probation status Oct. 1.
Illinois’ racial employment gap is double U.S. average
Illinois’ racial employment gap is double U.S. average
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced his reelection bid on July 19 with the key pillar of his campaign being his record on “protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people of Illinois.” Look at the “livelihoods” in Illinois, and that quickly looks like a poor campaign decision.
Ep. 6: Why are Illinois property taxes so high? Featuring Adam Schuster
Ep. 6: Why are Illinois property taxes so high? Featuring Adam Schuster
Guest: Adam Schuster
Amendment 1 would take away taxpayers’ voice in state government
Amendment 1 would take away taxpayers’ voice in state government
The proposed constitutional amendment would put union contracts above the interests of future taxpayers and voters
Illinois schools outspend, underperform neighbors
Illinois schools outspend, underperform neighbors
Illinois test scores lag nearby states as administrative bloat keeps money from classrooms
Illinois aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030
Illinois aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030
The state’s newly adopted clean energy policy adds new incentives for electric vehicles and charging stations for buyers and manufacturers.
Illinois’ financial condition worsens despite receiving billions in federal aid
Illinois’ financial condition worsens despite receiving billions in federal aid
A new report from watchdog Truth in Accounting shows each taxpayer’s share of state debt has nearly doubled since 2009 to $57,000 as total debt increased by $10 billion—mostly due to pension obligations.
3 problems with Lightfoot’s Chicago budget, starting with an unnecessary property tax hike
3 problems with Lightfoot’s Chicago budget, starting with an unnecessary property tax hike
The mayor’s Chicago budget plan includes a $76.5 million property tax hike despite $3.5 billion in federal aid and funds permanent programs with temporary revenues but includes no push to fix pensions.
Will the Chicago Bears stay in the city? Lightfoot hopes so, but says taxpayer dollars won’t be part of the deal
Will the Chicago Bears stay in the city? Lightfoot hopes so, but says taxpayer dollars won’t be part of the deal
Soldier Field is the NFL’s oldest stadium and home to the bears since 1971. Though their city contract runs through 2033, many expect the team will move to the suburbs after the purchase of Arlington Park in the northwest suburbs.
Chicago Public Schools have lost 25,000 students since COVID-19 hit
Chicago Public Schools have lost 25,000 students since COVID-19 hit
As enrollment declines CPS may lose its spot as the third-largest school district nationally, yet spending increases continue.