Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot
Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot
Illinois puts lots of restrictions on independent candidates. Just one got on the 2024 ballot in 155 races.
Chicago budgets $210M for vacant jobs
Chicago budgets $210M for vacant jobs
Chicago has thousands of job vacancies that receive city funding, leaving taxpayers to pay for empty positions that spur massive overtime costs.
Illinois drops 6 spots in 6 years for tax competitiveness
Illinois drops 6 spots in 6 years for tax competitiveness
Illinois’ state tax competitiveness ranking dropped six spots – from 32nd to 38th in the past six years. That’s the worst in the Midwest.
Madigan’s corruption doesn’t deserve an oil portrait
Madigan’s corruption doesn’t deserve an oil portrait
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption conviction means capturing his likeness in a portrait would be tax dollars poorly spent, one lawmaker says.
Chicago Teachers Union pulls teachers out of class, away from students
Chicago Teachers Union pulls teachers out of class, away from students
Chicago Teachers Union members were encouraged to skip class to lobby state lawmakers during the veto session. Politics over student learning, at taxpayers’ expense.
Illinois parents, taxpayers shut out when teacher strikes threatened
Illinois parents, taxpayers shut out when teacher strikes threatened
Teachers unions threaten to strike, then use that leverage in secret negotiations. Parents, taxpayers don’t know the contract’s price until it’s too late.
What to know about new IFT head Stacy Davis Gates
What to know about new IFT head Stacy Davis Gates
Stacy Davis Gates brought controversy, conflict to the Chicago Teachers Union. With her as their president, Illinois Federation of Teachers members can expect the same.
Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average
Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average
New Illinois State Board of Education data shows low-income and minority public school students are struggling, scoring well below average.
Vallas: Legislation buys CTA time to fix itself, but will it?
Vallas: Legislation buys CTA time to fix itself, but will it?
New taxes buy the Chicago Transit Authority some time, but state lawmakers failed fix anything that led to the crisis. Here are three ways city leaders can fix the CTA.
Pritzker vetoes 5th lowest of 16 Democrat-controlled states
Pritzker vetoes 5th lowest of 16 Democrat-controlled states
In Illinois, 99% of state bills passed by the Democratic supermajority become law with no objection by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Democracy suffers without checks and balances.
Illinois, Chicago voters rank high taxes as No. 1 issue
Illinois, Chicago voters rank high taxes as No. 1 issue
More than half of Illinois voters and one-third of Chicago voters said high taxes were their No. 1 concern. Despite that, Springfield and Chicago politicians both are hiking taxes again to spend more.
Illinois lifts nuclear ban, but tightens grip on energy supply
Illinois lifts nuclear ban, but tightens grip on energy supply
Lawmakers pass a bill to end the ban on large nuclear plants but include plans on expanding state control over energy.
$53 billion pension spike advances during last-minute veto session
$53 billion pension spike advances during last-minute veto session
A bill that would increase Tier 2 pension benefits was passed out of Illinois House Executive Committee on Oct 30.
How many people in your county can’t access SNAP after Nov.1?
How many people in your county can’t access SNAP after Nov.1?
If the federal government shutdown continues, millions of Illinoisans could lose access to critical food aid after Nov. 1.