Amendment 1 could lock in $4B statewide property tax hike

By Bryce Hill

10/31/2022

Total property tax extensions are on pace to total more than $40 billion by 2026, $4 billion more than at present. Amendment 1’s expansion of government union power would likely accelerate that increase.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property taxes, workers rights

Amendment 1 could lock in $2B residential property tax hike

By Bryce Hill

10/31/2022

Statewide residential property tax extensions are on pace to total more than $24 billion by 2026, which is $2 billion more than the current total. Amendment 1’s expansion of government union power would likely accelerate that $2 billion increase.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property taxes, workers rights

Top 3 myths told by Amendment 1 proponents

By Mailee Smith

10/10/2022

Proponents of Amendment 1 claim it applies to all workers, mimics other state constitutions and would help the economy. Wrong. Wrong. And wrong.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights

5 ways Amendment 1 is a property tax hike

By Bryce Hill

09/07/2022

Amendment 1 would likely result in a $2,100 tax hike for the typical Illinois homeowner, thanks to increased government union power to demand more.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights

Illinois court blocks petition to remove Amendment 1 from Nov. 8 ballot

By Dylan Sharkey

08/31/2022

An Illinois appellate court cleared the way for Amendment 1 to stay on the Nov. 8 ballot. Regardless of whether the change to the state constitution might violate the U.S. Constitution, the process for putting it on the ballot was valid, justices ruled.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights

‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ website ignores tax hike

By Patrick Andriesen

08/11/2022

The government union-backed website claims Amendment 1 would put more money in the pockets of working Illinoisans, but the change could only benefit the 7% who are government employees. All families would pay $2,149 more in property taxes.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property tax, unions, workers rights

Fact check: No other state constitution has a provision similar to Amendment 1

By Mailee Smith

08/10/2022

Proponents of Amendment 1 claim other state constitutions include similar language, but that is just wrong. Amendment 1 would cement into the Illinois Constitution government union powers that no other state sees as smart.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property taxes, unions, workers rights

Misleading new ad claims Amendment 1 protects Illinois nurses

By Mailee Smith

08/10/2022

Despite proponents’ claims, Amendment 1 would give union rights only to state and local government workers. Yet a new ad by proponents implies it will help nurses in all sectors care for their patients.

TAGS: Amendment 1, constitutional amendment, property taxes, taxes, unions, workers rights

What Illinois businesses need to know about Amendment 1

By Dylan Sharkey

06/10/2022

Amendment 1 would enshrine permanent power for public unions in the state constitution which could mean higher taxes, higher costs, and potentially costly litigation for business owners.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Illinois, unions, workers rights

Unions backed doubling gas tax, now push disguised tax hike amendment

By Hannah Schmid

06/02/2022

The same unions that supported doubling the gas tax in 2019 donated $15 million to politicians who voted for Amendment 1, a proposed tax hike sold as a “workers’ rights” amendment.

TAGS: Amendment 1, gas tax, government unions, JB Pritzker, taxes, workers rights

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