Pritzker keeps mask mandates for schools indefinitely
Pritzker keeps mask mandates for schools indefinitely
The governor’s maintenance of statewide school mask mandates without benchmarks for their removal makes Illinois an outlier.
Pritzker extends indoor mask mandate through Feb. 28, keeps students masked
Pritzker extends indoor mask mandate through Feb. 28, keeps students masked
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is keeping Illinois’ indoor mask mandate in place through Feb. 28. Schools statewide will be required to keep students and staff masked.
Less Illinois school bureaucracy would help students achieve
Less Illinois school bureaucracy would help students achieve
Half of Illinois’ school districts serve one to two schools. Consolidating school districts, but leaving schools alone, would decrease administrative costs and yield more money for classrooms to boost student achievement.
Illinois taxpayers pay nearly 78% of state health insurance
Illinois taxpayers pay nearly 78% of state health insurance
Amendment 1 would stop voters and lawmakers from curbing government unions’ ability to demand more from taxpayers, including platinum health insurance the average Illinoisan doesn’t enjoy.
How Illinois schools are using $7.9B in COVID-19 aid
How Illinois schools are using $7.9B in COVID-19 aid
Illinois has already distributed billions in federal COVID-19 relief funds for education to school districts. The pandemic windfall should be used to help lagging students, not create programs requiring new taxes.
$14B in federal COVID-19 stimulus propped up Illinois’ budget
$14B in federal COVID-19 stimulus propped up Illinois’ budget
Despite claims Illinois’ budget was “balanced,” a closer look shows federal stimulus money propped it up. Only long-term reform on pensions, taxes, health care and school district consolidation can balance state finances and end 21 years of deficits.
How to eliminate Illinois’ pension debt without hurting retirees
How to eliminate Illinois’ pension debt without hurting retirees
Illinois lawmakers haven’t taken up pension legislation in nearly a decade. It’s time to give voters a chance to fix the problem driving state fiscal woes. A constitutional amendment can fix the unsustainable public pension systems.
Jennifer Rodriguez
Jennifer Rodriguez
"I think that would be a great feature if they’re able to expand the current Invest in Kids scholarships to cover pre-kindergarten. A lot of the Catholic schools or private schools start at pre-K. So giving them the opportunity to start at pre-K versus [kindergarten] allows kids to build those relationships and get used to everything sooner."
Pritzker’s slippery poll numbers
Pritzker’s slippery poll numbers
COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas
COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas
The nation recovered 85% of the jobs lost to the COVID-19 downturn, but only one metro area in Illinois beat the U.S. average. The Chicago area only recovered 64% of its jobs. Bloomington was one of just 11 U.S. areas to lose jobs last year.
Illinois ranked among worst in nation for access to in-person learning
Illinois ranked among worst in nation for access to in-person learning
The unconventional learning formats caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are taking a toll on Illinois students. There is a solution.
Illinois public school enrollment continues to drop
Illinois public school enrollment continues to drop
Frustrated with COVID-19 disruptions and remote learning, more Illinois parents are pursing non-public school options.
Illinois lawmakers file bill to save school choice program for low-income kids, families
Illinois lawmakers file bill to save school choice program for low-income kids, families
Roughly half of the low-income students benefitting from Illinois’ tax credit scholarships are minorities, and about 26,000 students are waiting for a chance at a private school that better fits their needs. State lawmakers are working on a permanent fix.
Ep. 23: An economist’s perspective: How’s Illinois’ economy really doing?
Ep. 23: An economist’s perspective: How’s Illinois’ economy really doing?
Soaring inflation. Slow job creation. Lagging GDP from record population loss. Illinois’ economy is facing several unique factors all at once. Orphe Divounguy joins the Policy Shop to break down the current state of Illinois’ economy and how Illinois becomes a place where businesses, job seekers and homeowners want to invest.