Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise

By Lauren Zuar, Ravi Mishra

10/30/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered his 2025 budget Oct. 30, including a nearly $1 billion deficit, runaway spending and low revenues that have him breaking his campaign promise not to raise property taxes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, property taxes

Just 3,200 Illinoisans complete apprenticeships each year despite potential to fill nearly 150,000 job openings

By Lauren Zuar

10/24/2024

Declining reading and math scores decrease opportunity for students in Illinois. Apprenticeships, which provide paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction, are an in-demand alternative to a college degree that can build key skills and help meet future employment needs.

Chicago Teachers Union’s actions affect all Illinoisans

By Mailee Smith

10/23/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union might be in one city, but its lobbying and other political wrangling affect residents statewide.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Vallas: What the Acero closures signify about CTU’s power grab

By Paul Vallas

10/22/2024

The plan to close 7 of the 15 Acero Charter Schools is the latest maneuver in the Chicago Teachers Union’s campaign to solidify its monopoly by destroying even public school choice.

TAGS: Acero Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, INCS: Illinois Network of Charter Schools

Chicago Public Schools sees uptick in enrollment, but still lower than 10 years ago

By Hannah Schmid

10/16/2024

For the second year in a row, student enrollment has slightly increased in Chicago Public Schools. But the effects of a decade-long annual loss of enrollment remain, with 71,378 fewer students than in 2014.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

How Chicago Teachers Union cost 2,000 students their charter schools

By Hannah Schmid

10/11/2024

The Acero Schools charter network is closing seven of its 15 charter schools in the Chicago Public Schools district. Blame the Chicago Teachers Union’s history of opposition to charter schools for spurring the school closures.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union members sue union bosses over missing financial reports

By Mailee Smith

10/10/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union is required to provide an annual audit to members under its own internal rules. It hasn’t done so for over four years. Members are suing to see what the union bosses are doing with the money.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Apprenticeships can be lifeline for 177,000 idle Illinois youth

By Lauren Zuar

10/10/2024

Apprenticeships are a great alternative to a college degree, and there is high demand in Illinois. They can help the 177,000 Illinois youths who are out of work and out of school.

Chicago Public Schools spends more, gets poorer test scores

By Chris Coffey

10/10/2024

Chicago Public Schools’ instructional and operational spending both reached all-time highs. Did the extra money improve student learning? Nope.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools adds 2,500 staffers for 80,900 fewer students

By Chris Coffey

10/09/2024

Chicago Public Schools enrollment dropped 80,900 from the 2011-2012 school year to 2023-2024. But staffing increased by over 2,500 and costs rose $3.5 billion.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools

Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise

Just 3,200 Illinoisans complete apprenticeships each year despite potential to fill nearly 150,000 job openings

Chicago Teachers Union’s actions affect all Illinoisans

Vallas: What the Acero closures signify about CTU’s power grab

Chicago Public Schools sees uptick in enrollment, but still lower than 10 years ago

How Chicago Teachers Union cost 2,000 students their charter schools

Chicago Teachers Union members sue union bosses over missing financial reports

Apprenticeships can be lifeline for 177,000 idle Illinois youth

Chicago Public Schools spends more, gets poorer test scores

Chicago Public Schools adds 2,500 staffers for 80,900 fewer students

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