Illinois can expand opportunity with apprenticeship bill
Illinois can expand opportunity with apprenticeship bill
A measure in the General Assembly would permit cosmetology and barber apprenticeships as a pathway to a license.
Cutting red tape: Chicago makes progress, but long way to go
Cutting red tape: Chicago makes progress, but long way to go
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s ‘Cut the Tape’ initiative has made real gains for housing in its second year. Still, the hardest reforms remain undone.
Cook County TIFs cost taxpayers over $2 billion
Cook County TIFs cost taxpayers over $2 billion
By freezing property values in a specific area, TIF districts artificially manipulate who pays the levy, leading to effective property tax hikes.
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Combating fare evasion could help lagging CTA ridership
Combating fare evasion could help lagging CTA ridership
Fare evasion leads to lower revenue and higher crime. Two cities have found a way to fight it.
Illinois missing out on big savings
Illinois missing out on big savings
Adopting a state spending cap could help combat a mounting fiscal crisis.
Testimony: Lawmakers can help workers sustain careers through an evolving economy
Testimony: Lawmakers can help workers sustain careers through an evolving economy
House Bill 4882 was supported with written testimony by Josh Bandoch, head of policy at Illinois Policy.
A Bears stadium deal should not include lawmaker perks or raise property taxes
A Bears stadium deal should not include lawmaker perks or raise property taxes
Publicly funded stadium agreements can involve questionable incentives for politicians. The megaprojects bill in Illinois would drive up neighbors’ property taxes.
Teachers unions in Pritzker’s ear
Teachers unions in Pritzker’s ear
More than half of Illinois counties suffer outmigration
More than half of Illinois counties suffer outmigration
Residents are leaving every corner of Illinois for other states despite surging international migration propping up the total population.
Illinois home prices jump as inventory plunges
Illinois home prices jump as inventory plunges
The state’s housing inventory is at just 31% of pre-pandemic levels, driving up prices. Restrictive zoning and the nation’s highest property taxes must be addressed.
Chicago Teachers Union must answer for audits
Chicago Teachers Union must answer for audits
A Cook County judge isn’t letting the CTU off the hook for violating member rights.
Bill would limit cell phone use in classrooms
Bill would limit cell phone use in classrooms
The measure would prohibit most student cell phone use in class. Illinois is one of only nine states with no state law governing cell phone use in schools.
A recession would quickly sink Illinois’ unemployment insurance fund
A recession would quickly sink Illinois’ unemployment insurance fund
State unemployment insurance could withstand less than three months in an economic downturn. The taxes that support the fund are among the highest in the country.