March 19 primary ballots ask Chicago voters whether they support Mayor Brandon Johnson's real estate transfer tax hike. While he and 'Bring Chicago Home' advocates claim money will help homeless Chicagoans, there is reason to worry about hurting 5,143 commercial properties with no guarantee how this 'mansion tax' will be used.
The following is an ethics complaint from the Illinois Policy Institute filed March 11 with the Chicago Public Schools ethics office and inspector general.
Six of the 13 Illinois metro areas still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic. Six metros added jobs from December 2023 to January 2024, led by the Champaign-Urbana area.
The event, which is taking place on March 15, likely violates school district rules that make clear students can’t attend a political event during school hours. Staff activity in such an event also likely violates the CPS Code of Ethics.
Illinois’ unemployment rate ranked fourth worst in the nation in January 2024 after a decline in the number of jobs statewide during the past 12 months. Illinois continues to lag the nation and all its neighbors in job growth.
Every Illinois public university received about one-third less operational funding from the state in fiscal year 2024 than 15 years ago. University of Illinois spending per student dropped by nearly half.
A report shows low-income students receiving Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarships were more proficient in reading and math in nearly every grade in 2023 than low-income students in Illinois public schools. Their high school reading bested statewide scores.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed reduction of Illinois’ standard income tax exemption would increase taxes for over 11 million individuals. Some state leaders warn the effective tax hike would hit working families hardest.
Chicago’s March 19 primary election includes Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate transfer tax hike to raise $100 million, dubbed “Bring Chicago Home.” Will higher taxes without a plan help homeless Chicagoans or hurt their job prospects?
New contract demands from the Chicago Teachers Union include housing assistance for teachers. Chicago’s median teacher salary is more than $93,000.
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates on March 5 told a packed house at the City Club of Chicago this: Stop asking questions about how to pay for her list of demands, even if it costs “$50 billion … and three cents.”
Votes on Chicago’s March 19 referendum will count, according to an Illinois Appellate Court ruling. Now voters must weigh the merits of the real estate transfer tax hike.
This edition of The Policy Shop is by Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy and staff attorney. The Chicago Teachers Union doesn’t make an investment unless it’s going to pay off. They and their affiliates put $2.5 million into their lobbyist’s campaign to get him elected Chicago mayor. The same folks spent $1.5 million to ensure private school...