Chicago now requires COVID-19 vaccination, ID for public venues

By Dylan Sharkey

01/03/2022

Planning an evening out in Chicago? You now need proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a photo ID to get in most places.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, vaccine mandate

Chicago’s speed cameras ticket 8X faster after limit drops to 6 mph

By Patrick Andriesen

01/03/2022

Chicago’s speed cameras in 10 months churned out nearly as many tickets as the prior 3 years combined, handing every city household 2.2 tickets. The 8-fold spike came immediately after the city started ticketing at 6 mph over the limit.

TAGS: Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, speed cameras

Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko

12/22/2021

Government unions in Illinois have tremendous power. Most are allowed to go on strike and can bargain over virtually anything.1 It creates an uneven playing field, with unions able to demand costly provisions in their contracts and threaten to strike – denying Illinoisans needed services – to get what they want.2 Until recently, the potential...

3 problems with Lightfoot’s Chicago budget, starting with an unnecessary property tax hike

By Adam Schuster

10/01/2021

The mayor’s Chicago budget plan includes a $76.5 million property tax hike despite $3.5 billion in federal aid and funds permanent programs with temporary revenues but includes no push to fix pensions.

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

By Adam Schuster

08/24/2021

Classrooms First Act would benefit virtually all Illinoisans including teachers, parents and students.

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

Chicago

Chicago now requires COVID-19 vaccination, ID for public venues

Chicago’s speed cameras ticket 8X faster after limit drops to 6 mph

Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

3 problems with Lightfoot’s Chicago budget, starting with an unnecessary property tax hike

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

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

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