Democratic delegates are gone, but hotel housing should stay

By LyLena Estabine

08/23/2024

Clean-up efforts for the Democratic National Convention included putting Chicago’s homeless in hotels used as temporary shelters. Though the celebrity-filled week has ended, this affordable housing approach should be expanded.

TAGS: affordable housing, DNC: Democratic National Convention

Democratic delegates need not go far to see why Chicago is U.S. murder capital

By Patrick Andriesen

08/20/2024

Chicago for the 12th year is America’s murder capital. The deadliest areas are not far from the Democratic National Convention, with at least one a moderate walk from the United Center and others that can be visited on a city-sponsored tour.

TAGS: DNC: Democratic National Convention

Johnson hides 8 Chicago homeless camps from Democratic delegates

By Patrick Andriesen

08/20/2024

While Mayor Brandon Johnson has denied clearing Chicago’s homeless encampments had anything to do with the Democratic National Convention, his administration has said otherwise. Even his allies suspect a double standard.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, DNC: Democratic National Convention

Chicago mayor is Democratic convention’s most unpopular host in 40 years

By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg

08/20/2024

New polling on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson showed the lowest approval rating for a mayor hosting the Democratic National Convention in 40 years.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, DNC: Democratic National Convention

Pritzker to show Democrats how he thinks big about taxes, budgets, deficits

By Patrick Andriesen

08/13/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s record $53.1 billion state budget imposes $1.1 billion in new taxes on Illinoisans and still manages to underfund public pensions. He’s boosted state spending by $15 billion in six years. Housing, jobs and population are all suffering.

TAGS: DNC: Democratic National Convention, JB Pritzker

Democratic National Convention just in time to wave goodbye to Chicagoans

By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg

08/12/2024

The Democratic National Convention is coming to Chicago to highlight the party’s platform. Delegates are likely to see moving vans that highlight what those policies have done to the Windy City and the rest of Illinois.

TAGS: DNC: Democratic National Convention

VIDEO: What will keep Chicago’s 2024 Democratic National Convention from looking like 1968?

By Jess Plowman

08/07/2024

In an election year reminiscent of 1968, Chicagoans hope to avoid a repeat of history when the Democratic National Convention comes to town Aug. 19-22.

TAGS: Chicago, DNC: Democratic National Convention, Illinois

VIDEO: Chicago prepares for Democratic National Convention. Is it ready?

By Jess Plowman

08/05/2024

The Democratic National Convention is Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. But after a year and a half of planning, the political backdrop of the event is radically different than the one organizers started with and that Chicago leaders promised.

TAGS: Chicago, crime, DNC: Democratic National Convention

Illinois politicians want extra $25M for Democratic National Convention security in Chicago

By Dylan Sharkey

05/03/2023

Illinois’ congressional Democrats asked for an additional $25 million to pay for security at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Host cities typically receive $50 million.

TAGS: DNC: Democratic National Convention

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

Illinois is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. Over a third of residents are considered “burdened” by housing costs, meaning they pay over 30% of their income on costs related to housing. That is a greater portion of residents burdened by housing than any other state in the Midwest. The state fell 113,000...

View Report

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

Report Archive

Sam Goldman

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students