Vallas: Chicago Transit Authority is city’s 3rd budget crisis

By Paul Vallas

11/18/2024

Chicago faces financial meltdowns on three fronts: the city budget, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Transit Authority. The CTA faces a $577 million deficit, but it can be fixed.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago Teachers Union spent $1.74M trying to take over Chicago school board

By Mailee Smith

11/14/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union spent $1.74 million on its endorsed school board candidates. But most of them were defeated, signaling the unpopularity of CTU and Mayor Brandon Johnson.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Election’s over. What’s next for the Chicago School Board?

By Mailee Smith

11/06/2024

Voters have chosen the first 10 members of their elected Chicago Public Schools board. Amid a chaotic fall, here are answers to some common questions about what’s next for public education in Chicago.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

CTU-backed candidates losing majority of Chicago School Board races

By Dylan Sharkey

11/05/2024

Chicago Teachers Union allies were losing most Chicago School Board elections. CTU spent more than $1 million on its candidates, but voters made it clear they are tired of paying more to get less from city schools.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Public Schools’ financial crisis can again be fixed by state oversight

By Joe Tabor

11/05/2024

By 1980, financial mismanagement led Chicago Public Schools to lose its ability to borrow money, to miss multiple payrolls and vendor payments, and to drop deep into debt. The state stepped in with a financial oversight authority. It’s time to do that again.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

11/01/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget proposes a nearly $1 billion deficit. High personnel and pension costs have Johnson breaking his campaign promise not to hike property taxes. Plus there’s no plan for long-term fixes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Fewer than 1-in-3 Chicago Public Schools students read at grade level

By Hannah Schmid

11/01/2024

Chicago Public Schools third- through eighth-grade state test scores increased in 2024, with reading finally surpassing 2019 levels. But for Chicago’s 11th grade students, both reading and math remained below pre-pandemic levels.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

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

Chicago Public Schools

Vallas: Chicago Transit Authority is city’s 3rd budget crisis

Chicago Teachers Union spent $1.74M trying to take over Chicago school board

Election’s over. What’s next for the Chicago School Board?

CTU-backed candidates losing majority of Chicago School Board races

Chicago Public Schools’ financial crisis can again be fixed by state oversight

4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes

Fewer than 1-in-3 Chicago Public Schools students read at grade level

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

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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