More states give parents control over education funds, so why not Illinois?

By Hannah Schmid

04/30/2024

There are 18 private school choice programs called “education savings accounts” in 16 states and growing. But Illinois leaders refuse to let parents decide how their taxes are used to educate their children.

TAGS: education spending

Chicago parents spend $886 per child on school supplies

By Dylan Sharkey

08/09/2022

Chicago parents spend one-third more than the national average on school supplies. A 5% state sales tax holiday does little to help those struggling with back-to-school costs.

TAGS: Chicago, education spending, parenting, public schools, school, teachers

Fact check: Pritzker budget takes from college students, gives to pensions

By Dylan Sharkey

05/16/2022

Gov. J.B Pritzker has touted his record on higher education funding, even hinting many students should be given free tuition, but pensions are driving up tuition and eating state university funding. Pritzker refuses to tame that beast.

TAGS: college tuition, education spending, SURS: State Universities Retirement System

How Illinois schools are using $7.9B in COVID-19 aid

By Justin Carlson

02/09/2022

Illinois has already distributed billions in federal COVID-19 relief funds for education to school districts. The pandemic windfall should be used to help lagging students, not create programs requiring new taxes.

TAGS: COVID-19, education spending, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, Illinois

Classrooms First Act could put millions into Illinois schools

By Dylan Sharkey

01/17/2022

A bill to cut Illinois’ redundant school district bureaucracy could offer over $300 per student for classroom instruction. No schools would close as Illinois strived to cut administration costs that are double the U.S. average.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education spending, school district consolidation

Jeremiah made it, but 2 Illinois education reforms could help others

11/10/2021

Illinois has too much school district administration. It has too much education pension debt. There are ways to solve those problems to help students facing challenges and taxpayers facing ever-increasing demands.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education bureaucracy, education spending, K-12, pensions

2 ways to fix Illinois’ too-high property taxes, teacher shortage

10/21/2021

Redirecting some of Illinois’ school district administrative overhead could attract top talent to the more than 4,100 teacher openings. The savings could be $1,317 per taxpayer in one veteran teacher’s hometown. Reform pensions, and that amount grows.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education spending, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, taxes, teacher shortage

Illinois schools outspend, underperform neighbors

By Adam Schuster

10/04/2021

Illinois test scores lag nearby states as administrative bloat keeps money from classrooms

TAGS: education spending, Illinois

Nearly 40 cents of every education dollar in Illinois goes to pensions

By Adam Schuster

09/22/2021

Rapidly rising pension costs compete with classroom spending, reducing resources for teachers and students while driving up property taxes.

TAGS: education spending, K-12, pensions

2 things Waukegan can do to nurture students’ futures

09/16/2021

With rising costs and sinking test scores, school district efficiency and pension reform provide ways to put more money into Waukegan classrooms and improve student achievement.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education spending, pensions, Waukegan

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

View Report

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Report Archive

Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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