Andrew Carlin
Andrew Carlin
“High and growing property taxes here tend to depress home values.”
Illinois hits snags with new COVID-19 vaccine verification system
Illinois hits snags with new COVID-19 vaccine verification system
Vax Verify, Illinois’ new resident immunization portal, contains incorrect COVID-19 vaccine records. In a state where data leaks and hacks have been too common, the potential for health information being exposed is a reasonable worry.
Illinois delays selling beleaguered Thompson Center in Chicago
Illinois delays selling beleaguered Thompson Center in Chicago
Illinois is again delaying the sale of the Thompson Center state office building in Chicago, which was neglected until the state could no longer afford to fix it. The state’s new delay is to take advantage of zoning changes and in the hope office space prices rebound.
How to keep government transparent through Illinois Open Meetings Act
How to keep government transparent through Illinois Open Meetings Act
Most Illinois government meetings are open to the public, with a few exceptions. Here’s what to know about Illinoisans’ rights to see what government is doing by using the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
Pritzker seeks credit upgrades despite growing pension debt, budget deficits
Pritzker seeks credit upgrades despite growing pension debt, budget deficits
Pension debt is a record $144.2 billion while Illinois’ short-term debt is on track to reach $22 billion in three years, exceeding the record $16.7 billion hit during the budget impasse.
Sinkhole city
Sinkhole city
Pritzker administration forces Christian school to follow mask mandate
Pritzker administration forces Christian school to follow mask mandate
Timothy Christian Schools tried to keep their mask-optional policy despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s statewide school mask mandate. The state quickly stripped the schools of their recognition, crippling their high school seniors as they started college applications. Masks are now on.
Amendment to Illinois Constitution is much more than right-to-work ban
Amendment to Illinois Constitution is much more than right-to-work ban
The proposed constitutional amendment placed on the 2022 ballot by the Illinois General Assembly would put every provision in union contracts beyond the reach of state law.
Rural areas lose to cities amid Illinois’ historic population loss
Rural areas lose to cities amid Illinois’ historic population loss
Chicago and other urban areas in Illinois gained people compared to the rural areas, with 87 of 102 counties losing people in the 2020 U.S. Census.
2nd-highest gas taxes
2nd-highest gas taxes
Over 22,000 Illinois school employees stop handing their pay to a union
Over 22,000 Illinois school employees stop handing their pay to a union
Educators across Illinois are exercising their rights, with over 22,000 fewer school employees sending dues or fees to teachers unions than in 2017.
Here’s how IEA, NEA unions said they spent teachers’ money in 2020
Here’s how IEA, NEA unions said they spent teachers’ money in 2020
The Illinois Education Association and National Education Association filed federal reports showing how they spent money in 2020. Little was spent on what most assume is a teachers union’s central mission – representing teachers.
How does your teachers union spend money? Here’s what AFT, IFT reported in 2020
How does your teachers union spend money? Here’s what AFT, IFT reported in 2020
The Illinois Federation of Teachers and National Federation of Teachers filed federal reports showing how they spent money in 2020. Little was spent on what most assume is a teachers union’s central mission – representing teachers.
Ashley Cullen-Williams
Ashley Cullen-Williams
“A lot of funding gets diverted or allocated to other things before students immediate needs are considered. Students need to be well in order to excel at life. Students need access to supportive environments, quality connections and college and career opportunities.”