The Policy Shop: How government costs us affordable housing

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/17/2024

Government in Illinois has a lot to do with why housing costs are so high. Zoning and land-use reforms can boost the supply of affordable housing without forcing taxpayers to subsidize it.

TAGS: affordable housing, regulations

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

The four-step approach to escaping poverty

By Chris Coffey

06/25/2024

The relationship between family formation and prosperity is accepted across the political spectrum.

TAGS: poverty

Poverty hits Black, Hispanic Chicagoans hardest, but education, jobs fix that

By Chris Coffey

06/11/2024

Black and Hispanic Chicagoans are persistently impacted by poverty more than other racial groups. What city and state leaders need to focus on is helping people down the path of education, job and then family.

Research shows education, full-time employment can overcome poverty

By Chris Coffey

06/07/2024

The city of Chicago’s poverty rate is 17%. The Brookings Institution’s “success sequence” shows what city and state leaders need to focus on if we want to provide a pathway to prosperity.

Editorial: Illinois public schools lose 127,000 students since pandemic

By Hilary Gowins

05/28/2024

As public school enrollment continues to drop, Illinois faces the prospect of a smaller future workforce.

TAGS: public schools

Violent crime surges 26% at Chicago Public Schools, arrests hit record low

By Patrick Andriesen

05/03/2024

Chicago Public Schools saw violent crime increase 26% in 2023 and arrests hit a record low of 8%. Now thanks to pressure from the Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Brandon Johnson, police are being removed from schools.

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

By Joe Tabor

08/17/2022

Published Aug. 17, 2022 Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension...

New study gives Illinois an ‘F’ for civics and history education standards

By Noah Shaar

07/01/2021

A recent study by the Fordham Institute critiqued Illinois’ education standards for U.S. history and civics education. Illinois’ standards lacked mention of historical concepts and did not offer goals for what each grade should learn in civics and U.S. History.

TAGS: education, Illinois, public schools

Brookings Institution

The Policy Shop: How government costs us affordable housing

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

The four-step approach to escaping poverty

Poverty hits Black, Hispanic Chicagoans hardest, but education, jobs fix that

Research shows education, full-time employment can overcome poverty

Editorial: Illinois public schools lose 127,000 students since pandemic

Violent crime surges 26% at Chicago Public Schools, arrests hit record low

Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

New study gives Illinois an ‘F’ for civics and history education standards

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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