Chicago

Illinois lawmakers push to keep kids and education from 21st century learning

05/06/2013
by Ted Dabrowski* With a bill that blocks the authorization of any new virtual charter schools, state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora, aims to slow Illinois’ move into the 21st century. Her law, House Bill 494, calls for a one-year moratorium “on the establishment of charter schools with virtual-schooling components in school districts other than [Chicago...

UNO charters unionize

05/02/2013
by Paul Kersey Earlier today the Alliance of Charter School Teachers and Staff, known as ACTS, presented cards that were apparently signed by a strong majority of teachers at United Neighborhood Organization charter schools. An observer appointed by UNO and the union counted the cards and determined that ACTS would henceforth represent UNO teachers. For...

Widespread non-compliance with TIF district reporting requirements

By Brian Costin
04/29/2013
Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, districts are a controversial economic development tool – and there is no concrete evidence they actually work. In fact, a study from professors at the University of Chicago and Lake Forest College showed that Illinois communities with TIF districts “grew substantially slower than non-adopters.” By law, TIFs are intended to promote economic...

The great Twinkie turf war

By Paul Kersey
03/31/2013
The new owners of Hostess Brands are preparing to restart the production of Twinkies, Ho Hos and all those other sugary treats. Among the plants they plan to reopen is the one in the Chicago suburb of Schiller Park.

TAGS: hostess, Twinkies, unions

Capitol Updates: April 22 week in review

By Jane McEnaney
03/31/2013
It was a quiet week in Springfield as the Illinois Senate was the only chamber in session. Here’s what took place: Virtual charter school moratorium bill assigned to substantive committee On Wednesday, the Senate Assignments Committee referred House Bill 494 to the Senate Education Committee, where it is scheduled to be heard next Tuesday, April...

TAGS: Illinois Statehouse, virtual learning

Chicago ACTS responds to Paul Kersey’s email to UNO teachers

03/31/2013
Read our advisory to UNO teachers. From: Chicago ACTS <info@chicagoacts.org> Date: Fri, Apr 26, 2013 at 12:11 PM Subject: Unwelcome Interference To: pkersey@illinoispolicy.org Dear Sir: We are teachers and other education professionals leading the effort to organize a union at UNO charter schools with Chicago ACTS. We are building a union at our schools because...

AN ADVISORY FOR UNITED NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION TEACHERS

03/31/2013
With union organizers actively pursuing the unionization of United Neighborhood Organization, or UNO, charter schools, it is extremely important that teachers understand how the process works. You have the right to support a union; and you have the right
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4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Causes, costs, how to set the state free

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Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016