Bill to boost Chicago police pensions would cost taxpayers $3 billion

By Adam Schuster

03/09/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill to boost Chicago firefighter cost-of-living increases last year, costing taxpayers $850 million. Despite Mayor Lori Lightfoot calling it “irresponsible,” a new bill would do the same for city police at more than triple the cost.

TAGS: Chicago, FOP: Fraternal Order of Police, pensions

Chicago cops must get COVID-19 shots, arbitrator rules

By Dylan Sharkey

02/23/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot won a round in her fight to make Chicago Police Department workers get their COVID-19 vaccinations. Now all city employees, including police officers, must be vaccinated.

TAGS: FOP: Fraternal Order of Police, Lori Lightfoot, vaccine mandate

Chicago police union wins hearing in fight against forced COVID-19 vaccines

By Francesco Rahe

12/07/2021

Chicago’s mayor wanted police either vaccinated against COVID-19 or regularly tested, but the pushback from their union has received two recent legal advances.

TAGS: COVID-19, CPD: Chicago Police Department, FOP: Fraternal Order of Police, vaccine mandate

Chicago police union chief says dethrone Lightfoot over COVID-19 mandates

By Dylan Sharkey

10/26/2021

Immediately after a judge ended the gag order on Chicago’s police union president, he went right after Mayor Lori Lightfoot again about her COVID-19 vaccination mandate and reporting policy. Some aldermen joined his crusade.

TAGS: COVID-19, FOP: Fraternal Order of Police, John Catanzara, Lori Lightfoot

Pritzker offers National Guard if Chicago cops’ COVID-19 vax statuses thin ranks

By Dylan Sharkey

10/15/2021

With Chicago Police officers refusing to report their COVID-19 vaccination statuses, city streets soon could go unprotected. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is offering to call out the National Guard to keep order.

TAGS: FOP: Fraternal Order of Police, JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot, vaccine mandate

Chicago police union fighting Lightfoot COVID-19 vaccine mandate

By Brad Weisenstein

10/13/2021

Chicago’s police union is planning to challenge Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate and encouraging officers to ignore demands to report their vaccination status by Oct. 15. Only about 25% of police are vaccinated.

TAGS: Chicago, FOP: Fraternal Order of Police, Lori Lightfoot, vaccine mandate

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...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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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