Stop the Toll Hike
Stop the Toll Hike
Illinois drivers already pay some of the highest taxes and fees in the country.
Updated: Chicago Public Schools has a new $10 billion budget. How have its finances become such a mess?
Updated: Chicago Public Schools has a new $10 billion budget. How have its finances become such a mess?
The CPS budget proposal relies on hundreds of millions in fund sweeps to “balance.” Despite layoffs, CPS payrolls grew compared with last year and remain 8,250 higher than 2020 levels despite fewer students.
Thanks to gerrymandering, over 90% of recently passed bills in Illinois were sponsored by one party
Thanks to gerrymandering, over 90% of recently passed bills in Illinois were sponsored by one party
Partisan politics is a big player in the Illinois Capitol. The state needs real redistricting reform to increase competition, expand representation and strengthen accountability.
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Bill on Pritzker’s desk would let high-schoolers take more career classes
Bill on Pritzker’s desk would let high-schoolers take more career classes
Gov. J.B. Pritzker could expand access to training for high school students in careers such as welding and web development.
Is Lollapalooza music to the tax man’s ears?
Is Lollapalooza music to the tax man’s ears?
Chicago’s biggest music event brings in millions in revenue for the city, but tickets to the lakefront festival carry the amusement taxes and overnight visitors pay the nation’s highest hotel tax.
Chicago area shows highest rent increase among top 10 metros
Chicago area shows highest rent increase among top 10 metros
Year-over-year rents rose in Illinois while falling nationwide. Champaign-Urbana posted the country’s fourth-highest increase.
Illinois Federation of Teachers educators aren’t getting what they’re paying for
Illinois Federation of Teachers educators aren’t getting what they’re paying for
The majority of IFT’s spending is not on representing teachers, according to its own reports. Teachers can opt out of the union during August.
Sales tax increase to pay for CTA, Metra, Pace problems
Sales tax increase to pay for CTA, Metra, Pace problems
A sales tax increase for the Regional Transportation Authority, soon to replaced by ]the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, goes into effect Aug. 1.
Teachers can stop paying union dues and keep their benefits
Teachers can stop paying union dues and keep their benefits
Educators can join thousands of their colleagues and opt out of union membership — and retain all benefits provided in their contract.
Pritzker gets his school cell phone ban bill despite CTU opposition
Pritzker gets his school cell phone ban bill despite CTU opposition
The issue was a priority for the governor. Here’s what you need to know.
Update: Pritzker signs bill to limit cell phone use in classrooms
Update: Pritzker signs bill to limit cell phone use in classrooms
The measure would prohibit most student cell phone use in class. Illinois is one of only eight states with no state law governing cell phone use in schools.
Illinois lawmakers sandwich in less crucial bills
Illinois lawmakers sandwich in less crucial bills
Not all of the nearly 3,100 bills introduced this year in Springfield aim at top voter concerns.
Who should pay for new sports stadiums?
Who should pay for new sports stadiums?
As teams in Chicago and elsewhere pursue new venues and entertainment districts, lawmakers face renewed questions about public financing.