Four factors that created the CPS pension crisis

By Ted Dabrowski

09/08/2015

How Illinois politicians turned what was meant to provide government workers with retirement security into a political slush fund.

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

Rahm calls for the largest property tax hike in modern Chicago history

By Ted Dabrowski

09/03/2015

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel calls for property-tax hikes, garbage-collection fees and ridesharing surcharges as a stop-gap measure to plug the city’s $750 million budget hole.

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

Oportunidad: Student success, Hispanic achievement gaps and the future of Illinois

By Ted Dabrowski

08/30/2015

The achievement gaps between white and Hispanic students in Illinois’ public schools, and the need to fundamentally reform the education system.

All three major credit rating agencies declare CPS bonds ‘junk’ grade

By John Klingner

08/17/2015

Another credit downgrade for the Chicago Board of Education’s debt demonstrates the urgency of immediate fiscal reforms.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, credit rating

CPS to ask employees to contribute their fair share to their pensions

By Ted Dabrowski

08/12/2015

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool calls for an end to “pickups” of employee pension contributions, which would save the cash-strapped district $174 million a year.

CTU president Karen Lewis calls employee-pension contribution issue “strike-worthy”

By Ted Dabrowski

08/10/2015

The president of the Chicago Teachers Union defied the school board to require teachers to pay more of their own retirement costs.

TAGS: Chicago, CTPF: Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, Fitch Ratings, Karen Lewis, strike

Chicago and Detroit: Trading places?

By Ted Dabrowski

07/30/2015

As Chicago slides toward insolvency, the Motor City is trending upward.

TAGS: Chicago, credit rating, Detroit

Trashed again: Fitch joins Moody’s in declaring Chicago Board of Education credit ‘junk’

By John Klingner

07/28/2015

If the district can’t get its finances in order, expect more teacher layoffs, school closings and large tax increases on Chicagoans.

Hidden bill: Chicago taxpayers and the Windy City crisis

By Ted Dabrowski

07/21/2015

Each Chicago household is on the hook for more than $63,800 in future tax bills – much of it for services already rendered.

TAGS: sales tax

Growing tax burden will push people out of Cook County and Chicago

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

07/15/2015

City officials are pushing property-tax hikes, sales-tax hikes, and even a commuter tax and financial-transaction tax.

TAGS: sales tax

Chicago Public Schools

Four factors that created the CPS pension crisis

Rahm calls for the largest property tax hike in modern Chicago history

Oportunidad: Student success, Hispanic achievement gaps and the future of Illinois

All three major credit rating agencies declare CPS bonds ‘junk’ grade

CPS to ask employees to contribute their fair share to their pensions

CTU president Karen Lewis calls employee-pension contribution issue “strike-worthy”

Chicago and Detroit: Trading places?

Trashed again: Fitch joins Moody’s in declaring Chicago Board of Education credit ‘junk’

Hidden bill: Chicago taxpayers and the Windy City crisis

Growing tax burden will push people out of Cook County and Chicago

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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