Illinois universities’ problems are largely self-inflicted

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

09/15/2017

Illinois universities are blaming the recent budget impasse for their declining enrollment and financial problems. But the problems in higher education started long before the budget fight, and are largely self-inflicted.

TAGS: budget, higher education, Illinois Board of Higher Education, pensions, SURS: State Universities Retirement System

Oswego hikes taxes on fuel and prepared food and beverages

By Brendan Bakala

09/07/2017

The new taxes are planned to pay for road maintenance and improvement as well as general use. As is the case in communities throughout Illinois, pension costs are crowding out other spending in Oswego.

TAGS: budget, municipal government, oswego, pensions, property taxes

Black students in suburban, downstate Illinois benefit from amendatory veto of education bill

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

08/16/2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendments to Senate Bill 1 would bring nearly $25 million more to the 10 Illinois school districts with the highest black student enrollment outside of Chicago.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Senate Bill 1

Rahm’s 2018 Budget: More taxes on the way?

By Chris Lentino

08/02/2017

In the wake of the city’s 2018 preliminary budget report, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is playing it close to the vest about whether to raise taxes.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, pensions, Rahm Emanuel, taxes

Chicago Public Schools bailout threatens 20 Metro East schools from opening on time

By Eric Kohn

07/28/2017

Twenty school districts in the Metro East rely on the state for 30 percent or more of their total revenue.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, Senate Bill 1

Chicago bailout puts downstate and suburban students at risk of missing school

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

07/27/2017

In trying to force a Chicago bailout, proponents of Senate Bill 1 are throwing hundreds of thousands of downstate and suburban students into limbo.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education

Illinois colleges receive credit rating upgrade, but structural problems remain

By Robert Brutvan

07/26/2017

Many reforms are still needed in Illinois higher education system despite credit rating affirmations and upgrades to seven Illinois universities.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, education, higher education

With district spending up, CPS schools still face cuts amid shrinking enrollment

By Robert Brutvan

07/26/2017

CPS’ 2017-18 budget shows cuts for many schools as student populations shrink, despite an increase in per-pupil spending for the district as a whole.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, Senate Bill 1

New education funding plan repeats Chicago Public Schools bailout history

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

07/25/2017

Senate Bill 1 is yet another unfair bailout of long-term mismanagement within Chicago Public Schools.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, pensions, Senate Bill 1

Rauner calls special session on education finance bill

By Brendan Bakala

07/24/2017

The special session will deal with Senate Bill 1, an education finance bill that contains an annual $215 million pension bailout for Chicago Public Schools.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, pensions, Senate Bill 1