Brandon Johnson’s first 100 days

By Mailee Smith, Bryce Hill

08/18/2023

The city of Chicago faces a pension crisis, heightened crime and a failing public school system. New Mayor Brandon Johnson has taken no concrete steps to deal with any of it.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Illinois teachers unions have threatened to strike 188 times since 2010

By Mailee Smith

08/18/2023

Illinois public school students are at a severe disadvantage. Educational unions here can strike, keeping kids out of school, but that’s not the case in other big cities or neighboring states.

TAGS: teachers union

Vallas: Youth crime is on the rise in Chicago – and CTU’s school closures may be to blame for the trend

By Paul Vallas

08/14/2023

Rising crime in Chicago is being driven by an increase in youth crime – as a result of the Chicago Teachers Union’s policies and agenda, which undermine police and public safety.

TAGS: crime, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Over 4 of 5 Illinois lawmakers get money from teachers unions

By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko

07/31/2023

Since 2010, teachers unions have funneled nearly $20 million to current lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly, with the Chicago Teachers Union alone spending over $1.25 million.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, teachers union

Vallas: Only school choice can revive Chicago’s education system, save our kids

By Paul Vallas

07/10/2023

With the public education system failing students, the only way to ensure all children have access to a good education is to expand educational options for all.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids

Chicago has 2nd-highest commercial property taxes in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

07/07/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and progressive allies said the city can find fiscal flexibility by taxing big business. The city is already home to the second-highest commercial property taxes in the nation.

TAGS: corporate income tax

Union control: 9 of 10 Illinois lawmakers have received money from unions

By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko

07/06/2023

Current lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly have received $60.2 million in contributions from unions since 2010. Most of that cash went to Democrats.

TAGS: unions

Vallas: Chicago teens are dying, committing more crimes: work-study can fix that

By Paul Vallas

06/29/2023

Much attention is rightly being paid to how city policy can address the need to provide young people with meaningful opportunities for work. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

5 years after Janus v. AFSCME, unions are smaller but more militant

By Mailee Smith, Patrick Andriesen

06/26/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of Illinois state worker Mark Janus in 2018 gave government workers the ability to stop funding government union politics. Chastened unions could have reformed. Instead, they got extreme.

Chicago cops demand parental leave after mayor gives it to teachers

By Dylan Sharkey

06/20/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson handed parental leave to his former employers at the Chicago Teachers Union with no negotiation. Now the city’s police union wants it.

Chicago Teachers Union

Brandon Johnson’s first 100 days

Illinois teachers unions have threatened to strike 188 times since 2010

Vallas: Youth crime is on the rise in Chicago – and CTU’s school closures may be to blame for the trend

Over 4 of 5 Illinois lawmakers get money from teachers unions

Vallas: Only school choice can revive Chicago’s education system, save our kids

Chicago has 2nd-highest commercial property taxes in U.S.

Union control: 9 of 10 Illinois lawmakers have received money from unions

Vallas: Chicago teens are dying, committing more crimes: work-study can fix that

5 years after Janus v. AFSCME, unions are smaller but more militant

Chicago cops demand parental leave after mayor gives it to teachers

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