John L. Hasten
John L. Hasten
“It is the politicians who created the pension problem along with the teacher union bosses.”
Pritzker’s carrot and stick
Pritzker’s carrot and stick
Pritzker says Illinois could see more COVID-19 shutdowns
Pritzker says Illinois could see more COVID-19 shutdowns
Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned Illinois could see more shutdowns from COVID-19 after announcing his re-election campaign. He said new restrictions would not repeat preferential treatment of big box retailers over small businesses.
Illinois infrastructure ranks high, but state finances pose big threat
Illinois infrastructure ranks high, but state finances pose big threat
With an abundance of freight lines and roadways, along with a reliable power grid, Illinois placed No. 1 in the U.S. for infrastructure. But state finances are a threat, and political pork needs to give way to projects that move the most people and goods.
Black workers suffer most from Illinois’ slow recovery from COVID-19
Black workers suffer most from Illinois’ slow recovery from COVID-19
Some parts of Illinois’ job markets are recovering, but not for Black Illinoisans. Many jobs are still missing from before COVID-19, including over one-third of the leisure and hospitality jobs.
Feds investigate property tax bribery scheme in Cook County
Feds investigate property tax bribery scheme in Cook County
A Board of Review employee claims corruption is rampant in his Cook County office after an FBI affidavit states he was charging $2,000 to lower assessment on commercial properties and $1,000 for homes.
Illinois home building lags virtually every other state during past decade
Illinois home building lags virtually every other state during past decade
New census data shows Illinois ranked 48th in the U.S. for new single-family home permits during the past decade.
Illinois state, local sales taxes rank 7th in U.S.
Illinois state, local sales taxes rank 7th in U.S.
Illinoisans pay one of the highest sales tax rates in the nation when local and state sales taxes are averaged. The average rate of 8.83% was up slightly from a year earlier.
Feds charge former Chicago principal with taking $200,000 in school overtime scheme
Feds charge former Chicago principal with taking $200,000 in school overtime scheme
A former Chicago Public Schools principal convinced her employees to falsely charge for overtime and give her the money, claiming it would go for school expenses. Charges state she instead paid her mortgage.
$51,627 in unemployment benefits for average salaried parent in Illinois
$51,627 in unemployment benefits for average salaried parent in Illinois
Illinois employers are hurting from a lack of workers while the state unemployment rate remains high. When a parent can stay home and make $51,627 on unemployment, the prospects of getting more workers back to work this summer appear dim.
Before fall in-person school, Chicago Teachers Union wants over 4,000 new workers
Before fall in-person school, Chicago Teachers Union wants over 4,000 new workers
The Chicago Teachers Union issued a long list of demands it wants before allowing in-person learning this fall. Union leaders seek over 4,000 new employees, including a “restorative justice coordinator” in each of Chicago’s 638 schools.
Illinois’ legislative watchdog resigns over inability to keep lawmakers in check
Illinois’ legislative watchdog resigns over inability to keep lawmakers in check
Criticizing the ethics reform measures recently passed by the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative inspector general called her job a “paper tiger” lacking the independence required to hold lawmakers accountable.
Illinois’ state budget practices earn poor marks from fiscal watchdog
Illinois’ state budget practices earn poor marks from fiscal watchdog
A Volcker Alliance report on truth and integrity in state budgeting finds Illinois lacking. Debt, budget gimmicks and thin reserve funds gave the state poor marks.
Kim Breust Neilson
Kim Breust Neilson
“One mom with a child with autism spoke up at the board meeting and said, ‘Instead of my child getting adequate speech services that he desperately needs, he has been taught how to put on a mask, how to wear a mask, how to keep his mask on his face.’"