Pensions 101: Understanding Illinois’ massive, government-worker pension crisis

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/03/2016

The crisis threatens to burden taxpayers with massive, ever-escalating taxes to bail out a system that is not sustainable – government-worker pensions consume a fourth of the state’s budget.

Pensions vs. schools

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

01/26/2016

Since 2009, 89 cents of every new dollar for education goes to teacher pensions

Heavy metals: Behind the fall of Illinois industry

By Austin Berg

01/01/2016

Growing out of control: Property taxes put increasing burden on Illinois taxpayers

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

12/17/2015

Property taxes are the single largest tax in Illinois, burdening residents far more than either income or sales taxes. Illinoisans already know they pay high property taxes. But what is not as well known is that property taxes are outpacing residents’ ability to pay for them. Over the past 50 years, whether measured in comparison...

Busting the myth that Chicago taxes are low

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/15/2015

An analysis of Chicago’s taxation and revenue in perspective

CPS pensions: From retirement security to political slush fund

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

10/06/2015

CPS leaders have brought the teachers’ pension fund to the brink of insolvency. Now they’re counting on taxpayers to clean up the mess.

Chicago’s food-cart ban costs revenue, jobs

By Michael Lucci, Hilary Gowins

09/09/2015

Chicago’s ban on food carts is costing the city jobs and revenue. The city has fallen behind its peers: Street vending from food carts is already legal in 23 of the 25 largest cities in the U.S. The Illinois Policy Institute conducted a survey of nearly 200 Chicago food-cart street vendors to assess the social...

Power outage: Inside Illinois’ Hispanic opportunity gap

By Austin Berg

08/31/2015

“I was born poor and I will die poor. The best inheritance I can give to my children is an education.”

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.

Making Illinois smart on crime: First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

By Bryant Jackson-Green, Dianna Muldrow, Derek Cohen

08/06/2015

First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

Chicago

Pensions 101: Understanding Illinois’ massive, government-worker pension crisis

Pensions vs. schools

Heavy metals: Behind the fall of Illinois industry

Growing out of control: Property taxes put increasing burden on Illinois taxpayers

Busting the myth that Chicago taxes are low

CPS pensions: From retirement security to political slush fund

Chicago’s food-cart ban costs revenue, jobs

Power outage: Inside Illinois’ Hispanic opportunity gap

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

Making Illinois smart on crime: First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

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