Lightfoot may keep Chicago mask mandate despite end to state requirement

By Patrick Andriesen

02/15/2022

Mayor Lori Lightfoot remained non-committal about lifting Chicago’s mask mandate Feb. 28 in line with the statewide mask requirement for all Illinoisans. Lightfoot said the city is "making tremendous progress" bringing down COVID-19 cases but may keep the mandate in place.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, Lori Lightfoot, mask mandate

CTU-backed Amendment 1 would give teachers unions power over Illinois parents

By Mailee Smith

02/15/2022

Chicago Teachers Union takes credit for spreading the “new gospel” of union strike power across the nation. If the CTU-backed Amendment 1 passes in November, it will lock the union’s militant tactics into the state constitution, to the detriment of children and parents statewide.

TAGS: Amendment 1, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois bill could create new 3-cent per gallon local gas tax

By Patrick Andriesen

02/10/2022

House Bill 4424 would give every Illinois municipal government the power to impose a 3-cent per gallon tax on gas without first gaining the approval of local taxpayers at the polls.

TAGS: gas tax, Illinois

Chicago, Cook County to lift mask mandates and vaccine requirement Feb. 28

By Patrick Andriesen

02/10/2022

Chicago and Cook County health officials announced plans to revoke pandemic masking and vaccination entry requirements by Feb. 28, the day Illinois’ statewide mask mandate will be lifted. Pritzker has warned Illinoisans to keep masks handy.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, COVID-19, mask mandate

Invest in Kids scholarships help single moms get kids through tough times

02/09/2022

Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program for low-income families helped these three single moms and their children. Education during COVID-19 is failing low-income students, but the program can help if state lawmakers back bills to save and expand it.

TAGS: Illinois, Invest in Kids, school choice

COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas

By Bryce Hill

02/08/2022

The nation recovered 85% of the jobs lost to the COVID-19 downturn, but only one metro area in Illinois beat the U.S. average. The Chicago area only recovered 64% of its jobs. Bloomington was one of just 11 U.S. areas to lose jobs last year.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, jobs

Illinois public school enrollment continues to drop

By Amy Korte

02/08/2022

Frustrated with COVID-19 disruptions and remote learning, more Illinois parents are pursing non-public school options.

TAGS: enrollment, Illinois, public schools

Illinois lawmakers file bill to save school choice program for low-income kids, families

By Amy Korte, Hannah Schmid

02/08/2022

Roughly half of the low-income students benefitting from Illinois’ tax credit scholarships are minorities, and about 26,000 students are waiting for a chance at a private school that better fits their needs. State lawmakers are working on a permanent fix.

TAGS: Illinois, Invest in Kids, school choice

California, Connecticut drop mask mandates as Pritzker fights to keep control

By Dylan Sharkey

02/08/2022

Gov. J.B Pritzker is appealing a state court ruling striking down Illinois’ mask mandate in schools. His appeal and his 24th emergency declaration come as California and Connecticut join a growing list of states loosening their restrictions.

Chicago’s $43,100 debt per taxpayer driven by pension debt

By Justin Carlson

02/08/2022

Fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting again gave an ‘F’ grade to Chicago, thanks to high debt driven by unsustainable pension costs. Fixing the problem will take amending the Illinois Constitution.

TAGS: Chicago, debt, pensions

Chicago

Lightfoot may keep Chicago mask mandate despite end to state requirement

CTU-backed Amendment 1 would give teachers unions power over Illinois parents

Illinois bill could create new 3-cent per gallon local gas tax

Chicago, Cook County to lift mask mandates and vaccine requirement Feb. 28

Invest in Kids scholarships help single moms get kids through tough times

COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas

Illinois public school enrollment continues to drop

Illinois lawmakers file bill to save school choice program for low-income kids, families

California, Connecticut drop mask mandates as Pritzker fights to keep control

Chicago’s $43,100 debt per taxpayer driven by pension debt

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