Devin Jones
Devin Jones
“The biggest thing is that people need to be empowered, not the government. We’ve seen such a transfer of wealth from individual people to the government. Such a transfer of authority.”
Illinois has more graduates but with lower scores, fewer heading to college
Illinois has more graduates but with lower scores, fewer heading to college
Illinois is in the minority of states graduating a higher percentage of students during the first two years of the pandemic. But state data shows those high school students’ SAT scores are dropping and a smaller percentage are immediately continuing onto higher education.
The Policy Shop: Numbers don’t lie
The Policy Shop: Numbers don’t lie
This edition of The Policy Shop is brought to you by director of fiscal and economic research Bryce Hill. They say numbers don’t lie. If so, Illinois communities are now faced with an undeniable truth: 85% of them experienced population decline in 2022, with Chicago, the heart of our state, suffering a loss of nearly...
Illinois boosts scholarships for private colleges, but not for low-income kids
Illinois boosts scholarships for private colleges, but not for low-income kids
The Illinois General Assembly approved $100 million in grants so students can choose a private or public university. But when it comes to giving that private or public choice to low-income students, there soon may be no choice at all.
Pensions put Illinois’ 2024 budget in red by over $4B
Pensions put Illinois’ 2024 budget in red by over $4B
Illinois state lawmakers shorted pensions by $4.1 billion and killed scholarships for low-income students, but gave themselves pay raises and a new office building. Their budget leaves no room for error as revenue projections drop.
U.S. Supreme Court rules government home equity theft unconstitutional
U.S. Supreme Court rules government home equity theft unconstitutional
U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled for a widow from Minnesota whose home was seized and sold for a tax debt, but local government kept $25,000 more than she owed. The ruling should stop the practice in Illinois, where it is especially prevalent.
Lawmakers scrap scholarship program for 9,000 working class families in new budget
Lawmakers scrap scholarship program for 9,000 working class families in new budget
The Illinois General Assembly is poised to pass a budget without extending the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program, which allows 9,000 low-income students to attend a school of their choice. The program expires Dec. 31.
2nd Pritzker gas tax hike this year to hit Illinois drivers July 1
2nd Pritzker gas tax hike this year to hit Illinois drivers July 1
Illinoisans face the second gas tax hike of 2023 on July 1. The 3.1 cent hike doesn’t need lawmaker approval, thanks to Gov. J.B. Pritzker implementing automatic gas tax hikes.
Memorial Day brings extra pain at Illinois gas pumps
Memorial Day brings extra pain at Illinois gas pumps
Memorial Day weekend means millions will hit the road, but Illinoisans should try and fill up across states lines to avoid some of the nation’s highest gas taxes.
The Policy Shop: Springfield’s big budget crunch
The Policy Shop: Springfield’s big budget crunch
This week’s The Policy Shop is by Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research at the Illinois Policy Institute. With just a week left of session and a hard deadline of July 1 (the beginning of the new fiscal year) to pass a state budget, Springfield politicians are running out of time. As of...
Brandon Johnson appoints Chicago Teachers Union leader to transition team
Brandon Johnson appoints Chicago Teachers Union leader to transition team
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cabinet includes staff from the Chicago Teachers Union and Service Employees International Union.
What you need to know about picking all those Chicago School Board members
What you need to know about picking all those Chicago School Board members
Chicago revealed proposed district maps for the 2024 school board election that have drawn plenty of criticism. Here’s what you need to know about how, when and from where those 21 members will be picked.
Pritzker kicks the can on pensions
Pritzker kicks the can on pensions
Larry Roberts
Larry Roberts
Larry Roberts is a Chicago barber who helps former inmates reclaim their lives and dignity through jobs training. We first spoke to him in 2021. His school ran a barber shop inside the Chatham neighborhood Walmart until this spring, when Walmart abruptly closed that location and three others. Larry is looking for a new location...