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.
California, Connecticut drop mask mandates as Pritzker fights to keep control
California, Connecticut drop mask mandates as Pritzker fights to keep control
Gov. J.B Pritzker is appealing a state court ruling striking down Illinois’ mask mandate in schools. His appeal and his 24th emergency declaration come as California and Connecticut join a growing list of states loosening their restrictions.
Chicago’s $43,100 debt per taxpayer driven by pension debt
Chicago’s $43,100 debt per taxpayer driven by pension debt
Fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting again gave an ‘F’ grade to Chicago, thanks to high debt driven by unsustainable pension costs. Fixing the problem will take amending the Illinois Constitution.
Chicago property taxes soaking the poor
Chicago property taxes soaking the poor
Illinois is only big state to charge a tax on groceries
Illinois is only big state to charge a tax on groceries
Illinois is one of the few states that taxes groceries. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is suggesting a suspension of the 1% grocery tax to help struggling families. Some lawmakers said if Pritzker really wants to help, he needs to end grocery sales taxes.
Pritzker proposes gas tax freeze after doubling gas tax
Pritzker proposes gas tax freeze after doubling gas tax
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed a delay in the automatic state gas tax hikes he ushered in when he doubled the tax. The election-year temporary relief should become a permanent repeal.
Delaware, New Jersey governors lift mask mandates
Delaware, New Jersey governors lift mask mandates
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he is “hopeful” Illinois could soon drop statewide pandemic protocols after COVID-19 dropped by half. His peers in Delaware, New Jersey and earlier Iowa dropped their mask mandates.
Iowa governor ends emergency powers
Iowa governor ends emergency powers
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said after two years of COVID-19 mitigations and a sharp decline in rates, she believes Iowans will make the safe choices without laws forcing them. Pritzker does not share that confidence in Illinoisans.
Illinois jobs recovery worst in Midwest, 8th-worst in nation
Illinois jobs recovery worst in Midwest, 8th-worst in nation
With 251,900 jobs still missing since the pandemic began, Illinois’ job market is the least recovered among Midwestern states
Chicago Teachers Union president quitting after 3rd strike in 27 months
Chicago Teachers Union president quitting after 3rd strike in 27 months
Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey announced he’s returning to the classroom once his term expires in June. Sharkey has led CTU since 2014 through three work stoppages.
Delia Lopez
Delia Lopez
“I hope that many Latinos come forward and ask a Catholic school, ‘What opportunities are there?’ And when they ask me, ‘Gosh, how do you do it?’ I respond, ‘Ask! Ask the school closest to your home. Go and ask.’"
Illinois can save $577M on pensions by adding a date to a law
Illinois can save $577M on pensions by adding a date to a law
Illinois’ pension debt is the highest of any state. An easy fix to state law would start the Tier 3 retirement program, saving $577 million while workers gain options.