School district consolidation a step toward much-needed property tax relief

By Ted Dabrowski

04/28/2016

Illinois has 859 local school districts – the fifth-most in the nation.

TAGS: education, property taxes, school district consolidation

Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

04/22/2016

Nearly 25 percent of Illinois school districts serve just one school, and over one-third of all school districts have fewer than 600 students.

Illinois progressive-tax proposal is a middle-class tax hike in disguise

By Mark Adams

04/21/2016

A progressive tax would give Illinois politicians carte blanche to raise rates, which would end up sticking middle-class taxpayers with rates originally intended for “the rich” – all while chasing still more residents and businesses out of the state.

TAGS: fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, progressive income tax

Illinois will soon overtake New Jersey as the state with the highest property taxes

By Austin Berg

04/14/2016

Illinois' 859 local school districts consume nearly two-thirds of the $27 billion in local property taxes collected across the state each year.

TAGS: consolidation, property taxes

Missouri lawmaker proposes bill to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control

By Mark Adams

02/18/2016

A Republican-sponsored bill in Missouri could make it easier, less costly and more convenient for women across Illinois’ border to obtain birth control.

Chicago teachers highest paid among nation’s 50 largest school districts

By Amy Korte

02/05/2016

Among the U.S.’ 50 largest school districts, CPS teachers’ pay ranks No. 1 for teachers with a bachelor’s degree and five years’ experience, No. 2 for first-year teachers with a bachelor’s degree, and No. 3 for first-year teachers with a master’s degree.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Report: Dashcam equipment in Chicago police vehicles ‘intentionally’ destroyed

By Bryant Jackson-Green

01/28/2016

80% of Chicago dashcam audio systems are malfunctioning due "to operator error or in some cases intentional destruction."

TAGS: Chicago, CPD: Chicago Police Department, criminal justice reform, dashcam video, police body cameras

Make body cameras mandatory to improve police accountability

By Bryant Jackson-Green

01/15/2016

Ninety-two percent of Americans support a body camera requirement for police officers; to enhance transparency and accountability, Chicago should require its police to use body cameras.

TAGS: police body cameras

Supreme Court to hear arguments on forced union fees

01/11/2016

On Jan. 11, lawyers for the plaintiffs in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association will argue before the U.S. Supreme Court that the First Amendment prohibits the government from forcing its employees to pay union fees.

TAGS: Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, unions

How the Liberty Justice Center fought for freedom in 2015

12/29/2015

From challenging the forced unionization of home caregivers and day care providers to suing to stop Chicago from collecting a “Netflix tax,” the Liberty Justice Center has fought for its clients’ constitutional rights and against illegal taxation.

California

School district consolidation a step toward much-needed property tax relief

Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens

Illinois progressive-tax proposal is a middle-class tax hike in disguise

Illinois will soon overtake New Jersey as the state with the highest property taxes

Missouri lawmaker proposes bill to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control

Chicago teachers highest paid among nation’s 50 largest school districts

Report: Dashcam equipment in Chicago police vehicles ‘intentionally’ destroyed

Make body cameras mandatory to improve police accountability

Supreme Court to hear arguments on forced union fees

How the Liberty Justice Center fought for freedom in 2015

Solutions for vacant lots would reduce crime and poverty in Chicago

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