School choice boosts teachers effectiveness
School choice boosts teachers effectiveness
Charter schools are at the forefront of evaluating teacher effectiveness.
New House Rules stifle negotiations
New House Rules stifle negotiations
The Illinois House of Representatives met yesterday for the first time since being inaugurated on Jan. 9 to adopt the House Rules, HR 34. The most significant change in the rules for the 98th General Assembly is that all bills must receive the approval of the Rules Committee to be sent to substantive committees, where the legislation...
“Laugh, Think, Do” Index: How to rate Super Bowl commercials like an expert
“Laugh, Think, Do” Index: How to rate Super Bowl commercials like an expert
Become an expert at rating Super Bowl commercials. Download the "Laugh, think, do" index template here.
Hanover Township scores a 100% for website transparency
Hanover Township scores a 100% for website transparency
Yesterday, the Institute presented a certificate of achievement to the Hanover Township board of trustees in recognition of their efforts on website transparency.
Fitch warnings don’t mean kick the can down the road
Fitch warnings don’t mean kick the can down the road
Illinois’ credit rating received a warning today from Fitch Ratings. What Fitch cited as the “ongoing inability of the state to address its large and growing unfunded pension liability” means a rating downgrade is likely unless reforms are passed within six months. That warning is just another whack for a state that already has been downgraded...
Early warning system to thank for keeping 2011 tax increase from becoming permanent
Early warning system to thank for keeping 2011 tax increase from becoming permanent
During a lame duck session two years ago, the Illinois General Assembly passed a 67 percent income tax increase on all Illinois families. When the bill was filed in early 2011, almost no one knew of its existence. I was the House staffer on revenue at the time, and I only heard about it at 6...
Early warning system to thank for keeping 2011 tax increase from becoming permanent
Early warning system to thank for keeping 2011 tax increase from becoming permanent
During a lame duck session two years ago, the Illinois General Assembly passed a 67 percent income tax increase on all Illinois families. When the bill was filed in early 2011, almost no one knew of its existence.
Illinois’ high-tax environment causes historical out-migration
Illinois’ high-tax environment causes historical out-migration
The Illinois Policy Institute has long warned that Illinois high-tax environment hurts the states economy. Prior to the 2011 income tax hike, we sounded the alarm that higher taxes would cause people and businesses to leave the state.
PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute statement on pensions: Real reform means adopting 401(k)-style plan
PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute statement on pensions: Real reform means adopting 401(k)-style plan
PRESS RELEASE from the ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE MEDIA CONTACT: Diana Rickert Diana@IllinoisPolicy.org or (312) 607-4977 Illinois Policy Institute statement on pensions: Real reform means adopting 401(k)-style plan SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Jan. 6, 2013) The Illinois Policy Institute released the following statement from CEO John Tillman regarding pension reform talks: “Illinois can be an economic...
Local Transparency Project Endorsements
Local Transparency Project Endorsements
Municipal Endorsements Village of Orland Park “Many different local municipalities have reached out to us since our scores (100%) were announced publicly, they want to know how we did it, and all the credit goes to the Illinois Policy Institute and their staff for working with us to improve our online transparency strategy.” – Joe LaMargo,...
Online Transparency Grading Rubric
Online Transparency Grading Rubric
Illinois Policy Institute’s Local Transparency Project grading rubric Eligible for the Sunshine Award A – 90% and Above B – between 80% and 89.99% Not eligible for the Sunshine Award C – between 70% and 79.99% D – between 60% and 69.99% F – 59.99% and lower Out of a possible 100 points. 1. Contact...
10-Point Transparency Checklist
10-Point Transparency Checklist
To be able to participate fully in democracy citizens need the ability to contact and interact with their elected representatives and government administrators.
High-paid union elite often use teachers to promote their agendas
High-paid union elite often use teachers to promote their agendas
According to union financial reports filed with the U.S. Department of Labor, there are more than 120 employees of the Illinois Education Association, or IEA, and the Illinois Federation of Teachers, or IFT, earning more than $100,000.
School choice changes lives: Chicago student goes from CPS dropout to top of his class at YCCS charter
School choice changes lives: Chicago student goes from CPS dropout to top of his class at YCCS charter
YCCS, one of the 22 campus sites, prides itself on accommodating students individual needs by matching their educational level upon matriculation with a uniquely tailored, innovative learning environment.