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.
School choice breeds innovation, success
School choice breeds innovation, success
Organizations such as School of One which operates a math program at three New York City public middle schools are proving that innovation can occur in a public education system that is resistant to change.
Opponents spar over income tax structure
Opponents spar over income tax structure
Just call it an opening skirmish in what portends to be a protracted conflict.
Speaker Madigan reminds the unions who’s in charge
Speaker Madigan reminds the unions who’s in charge
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan turned down an invitation to a pension summit sponsored by public employee unions. Madigan sent a firm letter to Michael Carrigan, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO. Carrigan also heads the We Are One Illinois coalition of public employee unions. In my view, the positions of organized labor were taken into...
Illinois credit downgrade prompts delay of bond sale
Illinois credit downgrade prompts delay of bond sale
This morning Illinois was forced to delay a $500 million bond sale essentially, borrowing $500 million to finance state government operations. The delay was due to a drop in lender confidence in Illinois credit worthiness.
Institute in Daily Herald: District’s tab for weekend in Chicago was $13,756
Institute in Daily Herald: District’s tab for weekend in Chicago was $13,756
Those were part of a $13,756.20 tab from a weekend trip to a downtown Chicago conference for seven school board members and five administrators of the two-school district in November.
U.S. GDP contracts for first time since 2009
U.S. GDP contracts for first time since 2009
Economy shrinks for first time since recession ends
Quinn owns 11 of Illinois’ 20 credit downgrades
Quinn owns 11 of Illinois’ 20 credit downgrades
Standard and Poors Rating Services just dropped Illinois credit rating to A- from A. There is not another state in the union with credit as lousy as ours. We are worse off than California.
School choice gives parents, students the freedom to flourish
School choice gives parents, students the freedom to flourish
Choice means giving parents the right to decide which educational option is best for their children, whether it be public schools, charter schools, private schools, online learning or homeschooling.
Bailing out state pension systems rewards bad behavior
Bailing out state pension systems rewards bad behavior
Over the weekend, the Peoria Journal Star published a letter to the editor from an elementary school principal in downstate Illinois.
Institute on WAND TV: Illinois’ addiction to pork
Institute on WAND TV: Illinois’ addiction to pork
Institute policy expert, Jonathan Ingram, joined Doug Wolfe on WAND TV to discuss Illinois’ addiction to wasteful spending. Check our Piglet 2012 for examples of pork in Illinois. MUSEUM CAPITAL PROJECTS ABRAHAM LINCOLN MEMORIAL GARDEN FOUNDATION, INC. (Sangamon County) – $82,433. Renovation of the Ostermeir Farmhouse to add handicap accessible features, waterproof basement, replace carpet,...
Without real reforms, Illinois’ credit downgrades will just keep coming
Without real reforms, Illinois’ credit downgrades will just keep coming
On Jan. 25, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services downgraded Illinois' credit to A- from A.