Here’s how IEA, NEA unions said they spent teachers’ money in 2020

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2021

The Illinois Education Association and National Education Association filed federal reports showing how they spent money in 2020. Little was spent on what most assume is a teachers union’s central mission – representing teachers.

How does your teachers union spend money? Here’s what AFT, IFT reported in 2020

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2021

The Illinois Federation of Teachers and National Federation of Teachers filed federal reports showing how they spent money in 2020. Little was spent on what most assume is a teachers union’s central mission – representing teachers.

Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities

By Mailee Smith

04/21/2021

Both police reform advocates and law enforcement supporters face the same serious obstacle in Illinois: police union contracts include provisions protecting officers from discipline. Those contracts carry more weight than state law.

Illinois Forward 2022: COVID-19 makes pension reform imperative to protecting taxpayers, services for vulnerable Illinoisans

By Adam Schuster

03/17/2021

Illinois has a chance to fix its state finances, thanks to federal relief. But unless pension growth is brought under control, both retirees and taxpayers will be at risk as debt continues to consume state services.

Illinois’ sobering ‘sin taxes’ are among the nation’s highest this New Year’s

12/23/2020

Excise taxes have failed to improve Illinoisans’ health while creating an undue burden for those with the least. But lawmakers have yet to kick the habit.

TAGS: alcohol tax, cigarette tax, gas tax, sin taxes

Leaving an 8th grader ‘Home Alone’ could land parents in jail

12/23/2020

A vague and restrictive state law could mean the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services comes knocking if parents leave their 13-year-old home alone.

TAGS: DCFS: Department of Children and Family Services, home alone, negligence, regulations

Illinois government saw too many make ‘naughty’ list in 2020

By Brad Weisenstein

12/22/2020

COVID-19 showed everyone the heroes in health care and essential services, but it also exposed weak character or bad behavior of many in Illinois government.

TAGS: Christmas, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan

Property taxes continue to rob owners of ‘Home Alone’ house

12/18/2020

Illinois homeowners pay double the national average on their property tax bills.

TAGS: home alone, property taxes, Winnetka

Illinois’ sales taxes make holiday shopping painful reminder of fiscal woes

12/18/2020

Sales taxes can exceed 10% in Illinois depending on where consumers do their holiday shopping. The average has been creeping up in recent years.

TAGS: Chicago, Christmas, sales tax

Peoria pensions causing police, fire layoffs as property tax hike sought

12/15/2020

Emergency services have been cut in Peoria because public pension costs are growing. Voters will be asked whether a property tax hike should fix the problem.

TAGS: firefighter pensions, Peoria, police pensions, property tax

Chicago

Here’s how IEA, NEA unions said they spent teachers’ money in 2020

How does your teachers union spend money? Here’s what AFT, IFT reported in 2020

Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities

Illinois Forward 2022: COVID-19 makes pension reform imperative to protecting taxpayers, services for vulnerable Illinoisans

Illinois’ sobering ‘sin taxes’ are among the nation’s highest this New Year’s

Leaving an 8th grader ‘Home Alone’ could land parents in jail

Illinois government saw too many make ‘naughty’ list in 2020

Property taxes continue to rob owners of ‘Home Alone’ house

Illinois’ sales taxes make holiday shopping painful reminder of fiscal woes

Peoria pensions causing police, fire layoffs as property tax hike sought

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