Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Bargaining for Better Schools: An Introduction to Collective Bargaining in Illinois Public Education

Bargaining for Better Schools: An Introduction to Collective Bargaining in Illinois Public Education

The Challenge The most important policy adopted by any school or school district is its contract with its teachers. Yet new and aspiring school board members in Illinois have few accessible guides to a collective bargaining process that will determine how teachers are hired, placed, compensated, rewarded and disciplined. A New Tool for Better Policy...

By Collin Hitt

Will $125 Million Help?

Will $125 Million Help?

Nationalized health care is sinking in popularity--but a new big-money PR initiative hopes to change all that.

“The Stimulus Has Failed”

“The Stimulus Has Failed”

Left-leaning economist Jeffrey Sachs tells MSNBC that the simulus was all for naught.

$10k to Update Route 66 Gas Station

$10k to Update Route 66 Gas Station

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave $10,000 to restore a gas station on the historic Route 66 highway, hoping its location will promote tourism in the area.

ObamaCare Kills Virginia Insurance Company

ObamaCare Kills Virginia Insurance Company

On June 2, nHealth, a Virgina-based health insurance company, sent a letter to its agents announcing that it will exit the health insurance market due to the

Extended School Day Could Help Kids

Extended School Day Could Help Kids

Chicago's public schools have a shorter school day than schools in New York, Los Angeles and practically every district in Illinois.

Hanover Twp. Needs More Transparency

Hanover Twp. Needs More Transparency

As a resident and taxpayer of Hanover Township I am appalled to see the new allegations of questionable expenditures in the amount of $300,000. It is apparent that appropriate safeguards weren't in place to prevent such actions.

Victory for Rock Island Community

Victory for Rock Island Community

by Kate Piercy Last week the Rock Island County Board decided to give its local elected officials significant pay raises, increasing some by more than $10,000 a year. The Illinois Policy Institute responded, calling on the county board to reverse the salary increases, stand up for fiscal responsibility, vote down the pay raises, and focus...

Regulatory Roadblocks: Clearing the Path for Illinois Entrepreneurs

Regulatory Roadblocks: Clearing the Path for Illinois Entrepreneurs

The Problem Want to be a hair braider? Get a license. Already a pizza restaurateur? Raise your prices. Starting a business? First prove to the state there is a “need” for your product. Like flowers? Don’t even think about trying to sell them on the street—it’s not allowed. And, don’t dare try to start a...

By Kate Campaigne Piercy

The Disparity Between Public Sector and Statewide Salaries

The Disparity Between Public Sector and Statewide Salaries

Historically, public employees have faced a trade-off: lower wages than the private sector in exchange for job security and generous benefits. That trade-off, however, has been disappearing.

LOAD MORE