Languishing contract negotiations show need for labor law reforms in Illinois

By Mailee Smith

09/22/2017

Government-worker unions can negotiate for months or even years without reaching a new contract, and can use negotiations to push for even cushier perks from pricier health insurance to paid time off for birthdays.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining

Each Chicago household on the hook for $82K in local government debt

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

09/11/2017

After a tax hike spree from Chicago-area politicians, residents are stuck paying more only to carry an ever-larger load of debt.

TAGS: Chicago, debt, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, Rahm Emanuel

Rauner signs school funding plan, tax credit scholarships into law

By Austin Berg

08/31/2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a school funding reform bill containing Illinois’ first-ever tax credit scholarship program.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, property taxes

Chicagoans: Brace for yet another tax hike

By John Klingner

08/31/2017

A new property tax hike worth as much as $148 million is set to hit Chicagoans as part of the latest school funding proposal. That’s on top of the record-breaking property tax hikes Mayor Rahm Emanuel approved in 2015 and a litany of other city and county taxes and fees.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes, taxes

Stacked deck: Of all neighboring states, only Illinois gives strike powers to government unions

By Mailee Smith

08/31/2017

Illinois is the only state in the region that allows government workers to go on strike, effectively depriving residents of services they need and driving up the highest property tax bills in the nation.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, strike

Rahm’s celebration of test results ignores how CPS is still failing students

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

08/31/2017

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is touting a specific set of test scores showing improving student performance, while sweeping larger achievement problems under the rug.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, Rahm Emanuel

Illinois General Assembly passes school funding plan, tax credit scholarships

By Austin Berg

08/29/2017

The Illinois Senate passed a school funding reform bill containing the state’s first-ever tax credit scholarship program. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, school choice, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Illinois House passes school funding plan, tax credit scholarships

By Austin Berg

08/28/2017

After failing to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, which stripped a Chicago bailout from the education funding proposal, Illinois House members voted to pass a compromise bill containing the state’s first-ever tax credit scholarship program.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, school choice, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Chicago TIFs take nearly $500M in yearly tax revenues away from other local governments

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

08/22/2017

Since 2006, Chicago Public Schools has been deprived of $2.5 billion in property tax revenue that has been diverted to Chicago TIF districts.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Rahm Emanuel, Richard Daley, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Chicago City Council records reveal severe shortage of serious legislation

By Chris Lentino

08/22/2017

Substantive ordinances make up less than 2 percent of all legislation considered by the current City Council over the past two years.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, Rahm Emanuel

Chicago Public Schools

Languishing contract negotiations show need for labor law reforms in Illinois

Each Chicago household on the hook for $82K in local government debt

Rauner signs school funding plan, tax credit scholarships into law

Chicagoans: Brace for yet another tax hike

Stacked deck: Of all neighboring states, only Illinois gives strike powers to government unions

Rahm’s celebration of test results ignores how CPS is still failing students

Illinois General Assembly passes school funding plan, tax credit scholarships

Illinois House passes school funding plan, tax credit scholarships

Chicago TIFs take nearly $500M in yearly tax revenues away from other local governments

Chicago City Council records reveal severe shortage of serious legislation

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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