Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Legislative update: Veto session

Legislative update: Veto session

In Illinois, there are two types of annual, statutorily-obligated legislative sessions. Regular Session: The General Assembly convenes its regular session in January and adjourns in May or June every year. During regular session, legislators vote on a myriad of bills, the movement of which is usually slow. Veto Session: When the legislature reconvenes for a two-week...

By Matt Paprocki

Top ten charters outperform top ten open enrollment, non-selective, traditional high schools in Chicago

Top ten charters outperform top ten open enrollment, non-selective, traditional high schools in Chicago

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. In Chicago that is. In Chicago’s traditional public schools, the teachers’ union was on strike. Parents were scrambling to find a safe place for their child to stay during what would otherwise be a school day. Some were taking time off, even at...

A model of success: Chicago’s charter schools hold the top nine spots for 2012 ACT scores

A model of success: Chicago’s charter schools hold the top nine spots for 2012 ACT scores

The problem Too many of Chicago’s children don’t reach their full potential because traditional public schools are failing them. Our solution Chicago’s charter schools are proving, once again, that low-income children can succeed if given a chance. Why this works In 2012, charter schools held the top nine spots for open-enrollment, non-selective public high schools...

A model of success: Chicago’s charter schools hold the top nine spots for 2012 ACT scores

A model of success: Chicago’s charter schools hold the top nine spots for 2012 ACT scores

The problem Too many of Chicago’s children don’t reach their full potential because traditional public schools are failing them. Our solution Chicago’s charter schools are proving, once again, that low-income children can succeed if given a chance. Why this works In 2012, charter schools held the top nine spots for open-enrollment, non-selective public high schools...

By Ted Dabrowski

September jobs report — no cause for cheer

September jobs report — no cause for cheer

US labor report Many analysts are challenging the 0.3 percentage point drop in the nation’s September unemployment rate released this morning by US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS announced the unemployment rate dropped to 7.8 percent from 8.1 percent in August. The unemployment rate, which is now below 8 percent for the first time...

By Ted Dabrowski

September jobs report

September jobs report

Today there are 5 million fewer people participating in the labor force than when President Obama took office in January 2009. That

Constitutional Amendment 49: The “do nothing” amendment

Constitutional Amendment 49: The “do nothing” amendment

by Diane Cohen, General Counsel, Liberty Justice Center When Illinoisans go to the polls on November 6, they will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would require a 3/5 supermajority vote by the General Assembly on any bill increasing pension or retirement system benefits for government employees and officials. The...

By Chris Andriesen

Labor unrest: how much do striking teachers make?

Labor unrest: how much do striking teachers make?

Since 2010, the Illinois Policy Institute has been working hard to ensure local government transparency and accountability to taxpayers. With our Local Transparency Project, we’ve been pushing school districts to post employee compensation online. Employee compensation transparency is especially important when it comes time to negotiate collective bargaining agreements. Without transparency, it’s hard for citizens to...

By Brian Costin

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